240 Restaurants, One Mission — Elisia Flores Is Helping Families Achieve the American Dream

Interview Takeaways

Franchisee Success Comes Before Corporate Growth – L&L Hawaiian Barbecue has grown to 240 locations by keeping franchisees at the center of every decision. Flores says the company’s role isn’t to control operators, but to give entrepreneurs the flexibility, support, and resources they need to build successful businesses in their own communities.
The American Dream Still Starts With Restaurant Ownership – As the daughter of immigrants and a second-generation leader, Flores sees restaurant ownership as a pathway to opportunity. From first-generation immigrants to professionals leaving corporate careers, she believes restaurants continue to provide one of the best ways to build wealth, create jobs, and achieve long-term independence.
Technology Should Solve Problems, Not Create Them – While AI and restaurant technology continue to evolve, Flores isn’t chasing every new platform. L&L focuses on solutions that deliver measurable ROI, choosing long-term technology partners that help franchisees operate more efficiently instead of adding unnecessary complexity.

Elisia Flores, president and CEO of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, joins Shawn Walchef from CREATE Conference in Rancho Palos Verdes to discuss leading the restaurant brand her father, Eddie Flores Jr., helped build into a global franchise. As a second-generation leader, Flores shares why franchisee success comes before corporate growth, how restaurant ownership continues to create opportunities for families pursuing the American dream, and why L&L has grown to 240 locations without losing the aloha spirit that defines the brand. From evaluating technology through the lens of ROI to preserving a family legacy while building the next chapter, Flores offers a candid look at leading one of the restaurant industry’s most recognizable franchise brands.

Episode Links

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue: https://www.hawaiianbarbecue.com/
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue IG: https://www.instagram.com/llhawaiianbbq/?hl=en
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/hawaiianbarbecue
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@llhawaii
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/l&l-hawaiian-barbecue/
Elisia Flores: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisiaflores/
Eddie Flores Jr. Restaurant Influencers Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL5b91Ghh8k

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About Cali BBQ Media

Digital Hospitality is an interview-based video podcast hosted by business owner Shawn P. Walchef (@shawnpwalchef) and produced by his Cali BBQ Media company. The weekly digital series explores the ways successful businesses and entrepreneurs have merged old and new with innovative digital strategies that harness the power of the Internet and social media. Shawn is the founder of Cali BBQ Media and creator of the Restaurant Influencers podcast on Entrepreneur Media.

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240 Restaurants, One Mission — Elisia Flores Is Helping Families Achieve the American Dream

Interview Takeaways

Episode Links

Listen To This Episode

Watch on YouTube