Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I found this link from the Small Business Administration http://www.sba.gov.  I am planning to establish a restaurant/take out specializing in Hawaiian Plate Lunches.  I grew up in Hawaii eating plate lunches, musubi, kalbi, chicken katsu, etc.  The plate lunch consists of two scopes of white (sticky rice), two entrees of BBQ chicken, Teriyaki short ribs, Mahi-mahi, shrimp, chicken katsu (breaded boneless fried chicken), and mac salad.  During the plantation days in Hawaii, Filipinos, Hawaiians, Japanese, Chinese, Koreans, Portuguese, etc., brought their specialties to the islands.

I am currently residing in San Antonio, TX due to Army Reserve deployment and I`ve seen quite a few of the Tex-Mex eateries.  However, there also Asian restaurants such as Panda Express, Wok, and other buffet type.  I have not seen a restaurant that serves Lau-lau, Kalua, chicken katsu, etc. since I moved in San Antonio.

Is there anyone or know of anyone attempted to start similar type of restaurant in San Antonio and Austin, TX?  If all goes well, there will be four high school partners from Hawaii opening one this summer of 2007.  All have operated successful franchise in Hawaii and Seattle area and all earned degrees in Business Ad, Political Science, and Information Systems.  Your replies will be greatly appreciated.

Ahh, Hawaii plate lunches.  I used to live in Hawaii.  Believe it or not, I miss the plate lunches! What`s the one with the burger with the gravy and egg or it - or something similar.  I cannot remember the name, but I would think this would be a huge hit in the South.  They love things smothered in gravy.

I`m not in San Antonio, but I think it`s a great idea for your to open the restaurant.  You`ll be bringing a little paradise to the mainland - and they could use it :-)

It`s unique, a blend of ethnicities and full of meat.  I think that you would have a good market and with some good PR I think you`ll be singing all the way to the bank.

Cheers,

Tammy

 

-------------------------

Tammy Graham, Founder & CEO, True Genius Apparel Company: fitting your personality; www.mytruegenius.com. "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

Tammy,

Thanks for your positive feedback.  If all goes well, I am looking to open doors in the summer of 2007, and I`ll give SuNs Ohana (family) special discounts.  Just mention SuN!

I will also sell Hawaiian arts and crafts and Hawaiin quilts to diversify our business.  I have photos now and I`ll post more.

Mahalo/Thanks,
Cliff

What`s the one with the burger with the gravy and egg or it - or something similar.  I cannot remember the name, but I would think this would be a huge hit in the South.  They love things smothered in gravy.

Tammy -

It`s called the Loco Moco!!!

R-


-------------------------


Quaerite Primum Regnum

"There's a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line."
~ Oscar Levant ~

Twitter: @rossb

Yeah. I remembered it last night.  Thanks!

-------------------------

Tammy Graham, Founder & CEO, True Genius Apparel Company: fitting your personality; www.mytruegenius.com. "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

I am very excited in planning our grand opening for summer 2007!  Below are the challenges (not in any specific order) in making it happen:

1.  Location selection
2.  Choosing either S Corp or LLC
3.  Business plan
4.  Secure financing
5.  Business operations
6.  Hiring part-time/full-time employees
7.  Merchant accounts to accept credit card payments
8.  Modify/Refine before grand opening
9.  Finding local suppliers

My good friend will bring his band (http://www.pmfhawaii.com/) to San Antonio, TX for the grand opening.  Also, I`ll be selling properties in Vegas (http://www.realtor.com/Prop/1070399134) and San Antonio for my start-up capital.  If all goes well, I`ll retire as an Army communications officer in five years and expand my restaurant throughout San Antonio and Austin, TX.

I am glad that I stumbled to this website and any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Cliff

It sounds like a great great idea,  if need any type of financial guidance look us up.

-------------------------

www.strongbusinesscredit.com

My only suggestion is to keep it authentic.  Which it sounds like you are doing.  I hate Mexican restaurants that serve American style food.  blahhhhhhh.  I think the average consumer is moving in the direction of gourmet/ethnic/spicy/creative and away from low taste/low originality.  Just my opinion. 

Good luck!

-------------------------

Travis Tschepen
Hibachi Bros. LLC

--My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am.--