In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper talks with Cameron McNie, co-founder and executive chairman of Hawaiian Bros Island Grill, about leading with values in the fast casual restaurant space. Cameron shares how he and his brother have scaled the brand from its roots in Kansas City to more than 60 locations while prioritizing employee well-being and embedding the Aloha spirit into every aspect of the business.
His approach includes fully covered healthcare for key employees, creating “winnable policies,” and rethinking digital customer experience through intentional hospitality design. The conversation also touches on growth strategy, delivery challenges, and how staying grounded in values supports long-term scalability.
Topics Discussed in the Episode:
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Building employee-first culture with full healthcare coverage
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Creating “winnable policies” that align employer and employee goals
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Adapting hospitality to digital and delivery-based service models
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Rapid franchise expansion and growth strategy
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Embedding the Aloha spirit into operations and customer experience
Connect with Cameron McNie:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-mcnie-8524a91a2/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hawaiian-bros/
https://www.instagram.com/hawaiianbros/
https://www.facebook.com/HawaiianBros
https://twitter.com/hawaiianbros
https://www.tiktok.com/@hawaiianbros?lang=en
This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!
Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions.
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