Ono Hawaiian BBQ, a fast-casual restaurant chain based in California, is set to expand into Texas with plans to open its first location in Plano on July 24, 2026. The company aims to establish a total of 10 restaurants across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, marking a significant step in its growth strategy.
The menu at Ono features Hawaiian-inspired plate lunches, which typically include grilled meats, rice, and a side of macaroni salad or vegetables. Popular items include marinated grilled Hawaiian barbecue chicken and chicken katsu, a breaded and fried chicken dish. Another favorite is the Hawaiian barbecue mix, which consists of short ribs, chicken, and barbecue beef, served with rice and macaroni salad. The restaurant is also recognized for its Spam musubi, a snack made of grilled Spam topped with teriyaki sauce, rice, and seaweed.
Ono Hawaiian BBQ, founded in 2002 by brothers Joshua and Joe Liang, enters the Texas market later than some competitors such as Hawaiian Bros Island Grill and Mo'Bettahs, which already operate numerous locations in the region. Currently, Ono has approximately 130 restaurants in operation.
The first Dallas location will be situated at the former Great American Hero site, a well-known sandwich shop that closed after nearly 50 years of service. Additional Ono locations are planned for various suburbs northeast of Dallas and three near Fort Worth.
The planned locations include:
- North Plano: 8724 Preston Road
- McKinney: 4610 W. University Drive
- Rowlett: 4510 Lakeview Parkway
- Carrollton: 3328 E. Hebron Parkway
- Dallas: 6216 Retail Road
- Royse City: 506 W. Interstate 30
- Wylie: 2020 N. State Highway 78
- Burleson: Northwest Summercrest Boulevard and Southwest Wilshire Boulevard
- Hurst: 1840 Precinct Line Road
- Haltom City: 6360 N. Beach St.
