Islands (restaurant)
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurants |
| Genre | Casual dining |
| Founded | May 1982 |
| Founder | Tony DeGrazier |
| Headquarters | , USA |
Number of locations | 39 (2024)[1] |
| Website | islandsrestaurants |
Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks (also known as Islands) is a casual dining restaurant chain that specializes in burgers, fresh cut fries, and specialty drinks.
Their tropical-themed restaurants are decorated to evoke the Hawaiian concept of "ohana" (family). Despite being known for their burgers and fries, various other types of food are also offered, such as tacos, chicken sandwiches, and multiple entree salads.
Corporate
[edit]The company is based in Carlsbad, California.[2] It does not offer franchise opportunities.[3]
History
[edit]The company was founded in May 1982 by entrepreneur Tony DeGrazier in West Los Angeles. DeGrazier got the idea for his business while serving in the US Navy in Oahu in the 1960s.[4]
By the late 2000s, the chain had grown to more than 50 locations throughout the Southwestern United States.[5] The original Islands in West LA closed in 2018 due to rising rent costs.[6]
Islands closed eight locations during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, including its only locations in Nevada and Hawaii.[7][4] It was also during this time when DeGraizer left the restaurant and retired in 2020, selling his company to private investors.[8]
In 2023, the restaurant launched Tortilla Beach by Islands, a delivery and take-out based concept specializing in Mexican-inspired food such as burritos, tacos and bowls.[9]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "All Islands Restaurants Locations - ChainXY". ChainXY. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ^ "Islandsrestaurants.com". Archived from the original on 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
- ^ "Islandsrestaurants.com". Archived from the original on 2009-04-02. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
- ^ a b Genegabus, Jason (2020-11-10). "Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks to close Honolulu restaurant after nearly 15 years". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
- ^ "Islandsrestaurants.com". Archived from the original on 2009-07-24. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
- ^ Elliott, Farley (2018-08-09). "The First-Ever Islands Restaurant to Close in West LA After 36 Years". Eater Los Angeles. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
- ^ Chhith, Alex (2020-03-10). "Islands restaurant in Summerlin to close this week". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
- ^ Trinh, Jean (2022-11-30). "Beach Vibes and Hand-Cut Fries: 40 Years of Islands Restaurants in L.A." PBS SoCal. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
- ^ "Islands Restaurants creates virtual concept". Fast Casual. August 16, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
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- Companies based in Carlsbad, California
- Privately held companies based in California
- Economy of the Southwestern United States
- Regional restaurant chains in the United States
- Restaurants established in 1962
- Hamburger restaurants
- Theme restaurants
- 1962 establishments in California
- United States restaurant stubs