Ono Hawaiian BBQ Opens Murrieta Restaurant With Luau Event

MURRIETA, Calif., May 22, 2026 — Ono Hawaiian BBQ has opened a new restaurant in Murrieta, California, marking another step in the company’s expansion across the western United States. The latest location launched with a grand opening luau event, bringing traditional Hawaiian-inspired dining and community-focused promotions to Riverside County.

The new Murrieta restaurant adds to Ono Hawaiian BBQ’s growing footprint in California, where the fast-casual chain continues to expand its presence in suburban and high-traffic retail markets. The company said the opening is part of its broader development strategy focused on increasing accessibility to Hawaiian plate lunch cuisine.

Ono Hawaiian BBQ Expands in Southern California

The Murrieta restaurant is located in a rapidly developing commercial corridor that has seen steady restaurant growth over the past several years. Company representatives said the site was selected due to strong local demand for fast-casual dining options and the area’s increasing residential population.

The opening reflects Ono Hawaiian BBQ’s ongoing investment in Southern California markets, where consumers continue to support quick-service brands offering customizable meals and family-friendly dining experiences.

The restaurant officially opened its doors with a themed luau celebration designed to introduce customers to the brand’s menu and Hawaiian-inspired atmosphere. The event included promotional giveaways and in-store activities tied to the grand opening.

Murrieta Location Adds Hawaiian Plate Lunch Offerings

The new restaurant serves Ono Hawaiian BBQ’s core menu, which includes Hawaiian plate lunches, grilled proteins, rice bowls and island-inspired side dishes. Signature items include chicken katsu, barbecue chicken, kalbi short ribs and macaroni salad.

The company has built its business around freshly prepared meals influenced by Hawaiian local food culture. Customers can also choose combination plates and family-sized meal options designed for group dining.

Restaurant operators said the Murrieta location follows the same operational model used across the chain’s other outlets, emphasizing speed of service, consistency and value-focused pricing.

The dining space includes seating for dine-in guests while also supporting takeout and digital ordering services. Delivery partnerships are expected to support off-premise sales, which remain a significant part of the fast-casual restaurant sector.

Grand Opening Luau Targets Community Engagement

The company used the launch event to strengthen local brand awareness and connect with residents in the Murrieta area. Grand opening activities focused on family participation and introduced customers to the restaurant’s Hawaiian-inspired branding.

Restaurant chains increasingly use community-based events during openings as operators compete for customer attention in crowded regional dining markets. In Murrieta, the luau-themed launch helped position the restaurant as both a casual dining option and a neighborhood gathering place.

Ono Hawaiian BBQ executives said community engagement remains part of the company’s long-term operating strategy. Several of the chain’s previous openings across California and neighboring states have also featured localized promotions and customer appreciation campaigns.

Fast-Casual Dining Continues Regional Growth

The Murrieta opening comes as fast-casual restaurant brands continue expanding across secondary California cities. Operators have increasingly targeted suburban communities where population growth, retail development and changing dining habits support new restaurant investments.

Industry analysts continue to monitor consumer demand for quick-service concepts that combine convenience with freshly prepared menu items. Hawaiian-inspired dining brands, including Ono Hawaiian BBQ, have benefited from growing interest in globally influenced comfort food and customizable meal combinations.

California remains one of the most competitive restaurant markets in the United States. Restaurant operators continue adjusting expansion strategies to balance labor costs, real estate expenses and shifting customer spending patterns.

Despite economic pressures affecting parts of the restaurant industry, brands with streamlined operations and strong regional recognition continue opening new units in growth-focused markets.

Ono Hawaiian BBQ Builds Multi-State Presence

Founded in California, Ono Hawaiian BBQ has steadily expanded beyond its original markets while maintaining a menu centered on Hawaiian-inspired plate lunches. The company operates restaurants across multiple states and continues evaluating additional expansion opportunities.

The chain’s business model focuses on standardized operations, simplified menus and strong brand recognition tied to island-style comfort food. Company officials have repeatedly identified California as a priority growth region due to the brand’s established customer base.

Restaurant industry observers note that Hawaiian fast-casual concepts have gained traction among consumers seeking alternatives to traditional burger and sandwich chains. Operators in this category have also benefited from increased interest in grilled proteins and combination meal formats.

Ono Hawaiian BBQ’s Murrieta opening reflects broader industry trends favoring regional expansion over rapid nationwide rollouts. Restaurant companies have increasingly prioritized operational stability and market familiarity while scaling their businesses.

Restaurant Sector Faces Competitive Expansion Environment

The Murrieta launch arrives during a period of continued competition within California’s restaurant sector. Operators across quick-service and fast-casual categories are expanding selectively while navigating inflation-related pressures tied to food, labor and occupancy costs.

Many brands continue investing in suburban retail locations where customer traffic remains stable and commercial development supports new restaurant openings. Murrieta has emerged as one such market as population growth continues across Riverside County.

Restaurant openings remain a key indicator of consumer confidence in local dining markets. Companies entering new trade areas often use grand opening events and promotional campaigns to establish visibility and accelerate customer trial.

For Ono Hawaiian BBQ, the latest opening reinforces the company’s ongoing focus on California expansion while strengthening its position in the competitive fast-casual dining segment.

According to information released by the company, the Murrieta restaurant is now fully operational and serving customers daily.