The Plano opening is the kickstart to the California-based company’s expansion into Texas, specifically Dallas-Fort Worth. The company plans to open 10 restaurants across the region, with the Plano location on Preston Road being the first.
Ono is a Hawaiian-inspired chain that offers plate lunches with grilled meat, two scoops of rice and a side of macaroni salad or vegetables. The company’s director of marketing, Christine Jan, has said two of the more popular orders at Ono are marinated and grilled Hawaiian barbecue chicken and breaded and fried chicken, called chicken katsu.
Another bestseller is the Hawaiian barbecue mix, which includes short ribs, chicken and barbecue beef with rice and macaroni salad.
The company celebrated the opening of the Plano location with a preview event Wednesday that featured hula and fire dancing, Hawaiian-inspired food, tropical cocktails, lei making and a performance from Iam Tongi, winner of Season 21 of American Idol.
Ono started in 2002 and now has about 130 restaurants, primarily in California and Arizona. The following locations are planned for the company’s North Texas expansion:
After the Plano restaurant opens, Jan said, the next D-FW restaurants are expected to follow every month or two for two years, until 10 are open in 2028.
