L&L brings formula back to Hawai`i

In the wake of an ambitious and largely successful expansion across the Pacific, L&L will open its newest restaurant Thursday in the heart of Waikiki. To many the home of the quintessential local plate lunch, L&L took the West Coast by storm with its Hawaiian Barbeque chain, which features a similar menu to its L&L Drive-Inn kin but adds “a more modern, Hawaiian-themed décor.” The opening will mark the Hawai`i debut of the Mainland-honed L&L offshoot.

Despite a dip in Honolulu visitor traffic, company president Eddie Flores is confident the Waikiki restaurant will succeed.

“L&L is no stranger to this type of situation,” he said. “We have managed to increase sales every year since opening in 1976 even during times of a depressed local economy.”

Located inside the Ohana Surf Hotel on Kuhio Avenue, the restaurant will also offer catering services and specialty merchandise. It is the 68th restaurant in the chain, and one of over 20 scheduled to open in 2003.

L& L has dozens of locations in California, Nevada, and Washington, and as far east as Connecticut. Last year, the company was voted as one of the nations top 50 Regional Powerhouse Chains by Nation’s Restaurant News.

Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle is expected to attend the grand opening ceremony, which begins at 10 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.