Chick-fil-A® – Maui, Ala Moana, Makiki, Kapolei, Waikiki

When the popular restaurant chain decided to expand its operations to Hawai‘i, Chick-fil-A^® selected MGA Architecture not only to serve as architect, but also to help tailor its new restaurants to the needs and aesthetics of modern-day Hawai‘i.

The first Hawai‘i location, at Pu‘unene Shopping Center on Maui, is closer to the traditional Chick-fil-A dine-in and drive-thru experience. It features design and operational elements that reflect both the company’s dedication to friendly service and the spirit of Aloha.

The first Chick-fil-A Drive-Thru Only restaurant, located in Makiki, became the prototype for future Drive-Thru Only locations. Its custom design features the trademark Chick-fil-A hospitality, reimagined as a dual-lane drive-thru experience. Team members greet customers face-to-face in the drive-thru line, taking orders on tablets, processing payment and hand-delivering orders as vehicles proceed through the line. The restaurant also features three walk-up windows, where pedestrians are greeted by a team member to place their carry-out orders.

Kapolei added two locations to MGA’s growing family of Chick-fil-A projects in Hawai‘i: a 5,000 SF indoor/drive-thru restaurant at Ho‘omaka Marketplace and a 5,600 SF indoor/outdoor/drive-thru restaurant at Kapolei Entertainment Center.

Most recently, MGA transformed the former Hard Rock Cafe property at Kapiolani and Kalakaua into a 10,000 SF urban Chick-fil-A, giving new life to one of Waikiki’s most recognizable restaurant sites. Departing from the brand’s traditional freestanding restaurant and drive-thru model, the design emphasizes dine-in service, with expansive indoor and outdoor seating and a dedicated event space for community gatherings. The project responds to the character of the existing building, its prominent corner location, and its distinct Hawai‘i setting.

“When we were looking for an Architectural firm in Hawaii, our requirements were a firm that could produce quality design work, construction documents, and oversight for our work. We interviewed several firms in Hawaii and chose Matthew Gilbertson and MGA Architecture based on Matthew’s experience, history on the islands, and firm set up for specific focus and attention on each project. Matt and his team have brought so much more than we anticipated. Not only have they more than met our core requirements, they continue to provide helpful insight into the Hawaiian culture, including development expectations, through all phases of our projects.”
– Chuck Rice, SENIOR PRINCIPAL DESIGN LEAD, CHICK-FIL-A, INC. (retired)

COMPLETED PROJECTS

Pu‘unene Shopping Center – Kahului, Maui
Ala Moana Center – Honolulu, Oahu
Makiki – Honolulu, Oahu
Ho‘omaka Marketplace – Kapolei, Oahu
Kapolei Entertainment Center – Kapolei, Oahu
Gateway to Waikiki – Waikiki, Oahu

Select photography courtesy of Chick-fil-A