60th Anniversary Stories

Francis (black suit, left ) and brother
Charlie (black suit and sunglasses,
right) at the groundbreaking cere-
mony of the first Zippy’s locatio

Photos, memories, and moments through the years.

Island-Style Bakery Classic: Chantilly Cake

If there's one dessert that defines the Hawaii bakery experience, it's the Chantilly cake. And when it comes to Chantilly cake done right, Zippy's has earned its place as a local favorite. Rich, moist, and topped with that signature creamy frosting, this cake has become a go-to for birthdays, celebrations, and everyday sweet cravings across the islands. What Is Chantilly Cake? Chantilly cake is a beloved Hawaii bakery classic built around layers of light and airy chocolate chiffon cake. Unlike a dense, heavy chocolate cake, chiffon cake gets its signature fluffy texture from whipped egg whites folded into the batter, giving every bite a soft, melt-in-your-mouth quality. What truly sets Chantilly cake apart, though, is the frosting. Instead of a traditional buttercream, Chantilly cake is finished with a rich, buttery Chantilly frosting — a Hawaii bakery staple known for its sweet, creamy texture. The cake is then finished with chocolate crumbs pressed along the sides, adding a subtle crunch and extra layer of chocolate flavor to every slice. The Perfect Cake for Any Occasion Zippy's Chantilly cake isn't just a dessert — it's a Hawaii celebration staple. Whether you're picking one up for a birthday party, a graduation, an office celebration, or simply because you're craving a slice of something special, this cake fits the moment. Its moist texture and rich flavor make it just as satisfying for a quiet weeknight treat as it is for a full-blown celebration spread.

Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi: Celebrating the Language of Hawaiʻi

Honoring a Living Language Hawaiʻi is unique in many ways, including being the only state in the nation with two official languages: English and Hawaiian, or ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. Every February, communities across the islands come together to celebrate Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, also known as Hawaiian Language Month. This annual observance encourages the use of the Hawaiian language in everyday life while helping preserve and perpetuate Hawaiian culture for future generations. At Zippy's, celebrating the cultures that make Hawaiʻi such a special place has always been important. Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi provides an opportunity to recognize the significance of the Hawaiian language and inspire more people to learn, practice, and appreciate it. Bringing ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi to the Table As part of its Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi celebration, Zippy's invited guests to experience something unique: a version of the Zippy's menu translated into ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. This initiative helps make the language more visible and accessible while demonstrating how Hawaiian can be naturally incorporated into everyday experiences, including ordering favorite local dishes. More than a translation project, the menu serves as a reminder that language lives through everyday use. By seeing familiar menu items in Hawaiian, guests can gain a greater appreciation for the beauty, history, and relevance of the language in modern Hawaiʻi. A Community Effort Creating a Hawaiian-language version of the Zippy's menu was truly a collaborative effort. Zippy's partnered with educators and students from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama to help bring the project to life. Their knowledge, dedication, and passion for language education played a vital role in making the translated menu possible. Translating a restaurant menu is no small task. The project required thoughtful consideration to ensure that menu items and descriptions were represented accurately while remaining faithful to the spirit and cultural significance of the Hawaiian language. The result is both an educational resource and a celebration of cultural stewardship. Learning Through Food Food has a unique way of bringing people together, making it a natural gateway for language learning. To help guests engage more deeply with ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, educational resources were created to introduce Hawaiian vocabulary, everyday phrases, and common food-related terminology. By connecting language learning to familiar foods and experiences, these lessons make ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi approachable for beginners while encouraging continued exploration. Whether someone is learning their first Hawaiian words or expanding their existing knowledge, food provides a fun and meaningful way to connect with the language. Taking the Next Step For those interested in continuing their language journey, additional learning resources offer opportunities to go beyond the basics. These tools help support the broader effort to increase awareness and everyday use of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi throughout Hawaiʻi and beyond. Learning a language is a lifelong journey. Every new word learned, phrase spoken, or conversation shared contributes to keeping that language vibrant and alive. Programs like Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi encourage people of all backgrounds to participate in preserving and celebrating an important part of Hawaiʻi's cultural heritage. Preserving Culture Through Language Language is more than just a way to communicate. It carries stories, values, traditions, and a unique worldview that connects people to their history and identity. Supporting the growth and visibility of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi helps ensure that these cultural connections continue to thrive for generations to come. By embracing opportunities to learn and use Hawaiian, individuals help strengthen a living language that remains an essential part of Hawaiʻi's past, present, and future. Celebrating Hawaiʻi's Legacy Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi serves as a reminder that language and culture are deeply intertwined. Through community partnerships, educational initiatives, and everyday moments of learning, organizations like Zippy's can help foster a greater appreciation for Hawaiʻi's rich cultural heritage. Whether it's learning a new phrase, discovering the Hawaiian name for a favorite menu item, or simply gaining a deeper understanding of the language, every step helps keep ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi visible, valued, and alive. By celebrating and embracing the language, we honor Hawaiʻi's legacy while helping shape a stronger future for generations to come.

Kōkua For A Cause

Giving Back, Together At Zippy's, caring for our community has always been part of who we are. For generations, our restaurants have been places where families gather, friends connect, and neighbors come together. Through our Kōkua for a Cause program, we're inviting guests to be part of that tradition by supporting local organizations that make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve. What Does Kōkua Mean? The Hawaiian word kōkua means help, assistance, support, or cooperation. It reflects the spirit of coming together to care for one another, a value deeply rooted in Hawaiʻi's culture. Kōkua for a Cause embodies this spirit by making it easy for guests to contribute to causes that support local families, individuals, and communities in need. How a Few Cents Can Make a Difference Sometimes the smallest actions have the biggest impact. By choosing to round up a purchase to the nearest dollar when ordering in-store, guests can help provide valuable resources and support to nonprofit organizations. While each donation may only be a few cents, those contributions add up quickly when a community comes together with a shared commitment to helping others. Supporting Communities Across Hawaiʻi Throughout the year, Kōkua for a Cause partners with organizations dedicated to strengthening Hawaiʻi's communities and improving the lives of local residents. Goodwill Hawaii For more than 65 years, Goodwill Hawaii has helped thousands of local residents achieve their goals through free job training, educational opportunities, and financial literacy services. Their programs empower individuals to build skills, gain employment, and create brighter futures for themselves and their families. Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels helps Oʻahu's kūpuna and individuals with disabilities maintain their independence by delivering nutritious meals directly to their homes. Beyond providing food, the program also offers meaningful social connection and regular wellness checks, helping recipients stay engaged with their community. The Pantry by Feeding Hawaiʻi Together The Pantry by Feeding Hawaiʻi Together operates Hawaiʻi's only year-round online food distribution platform. By working with local farmers, food producers, and retailers, the organization helps improve access to fresh, healthy food while supporting Hawaiʻi's local agriculture and food system. Supporting Our Las Vegas Community Kōkua for a Cause also extends its impact beyond Hawaiʻi by supporting organizations that serve the Las Vegas community. The Just One Project Founded on the belief that communities are strongest when people help one another, The Just One Project connects volunteers with those in need through programs that provide food assistance, resources, and support services. The organization impacts thousands of lives each month by creating opportunities for people to give back and make a difference. How to Participate Joining Kōkua for a Cause is easy. Guests can simply choose to round up their purchase when dining in or ordering takeout at participating Zippy's locations. Before completing payment, let your server or team member know that you'd like to round up your total to support the current community partner. The Power of Kōkua Every donation, no matter the amount, represents a collective effort to strengthen our communities. Together, those small contributions help provide meals, job training, educational opportunities, and other essential services that make a lasting difference in the lives of local families and individuals. At Zippy's, we believe that when people come together with a spirit of generosity and compassion, meaningful change is possible. The next time you visit, consider rounding up your purchase and joining us in supporting the organizations that help our communities thrive. That's the power of kōkua.

History of the Zip Pac®: Hawaii’s Most Iconic Plate Lunch

When discussing iconic island-style comfort foods, few dishes are as recognizable as the Zip Pac®. Sold at Zippy's Restaurants for decades, this hearty bento-style meal has become one of Hawaii's most beloved comfort foods and a best-selling menu item. What started as a convenient takeout meal has evolved into an icon that represents the “mixed plate” of diverse cultures of the Hawaiian Islands. What Is a Zip Pac®? The Zip Pac® is Zippy's signature bento-style plate lunch that combines several local favorites in one convenient meal. A traditional Zip Pac includes: • Fried Chicken • Hoki (Breaded white fish) • SPAM® • Teriyaki Beef • Takuan (Pickled Daikon) • Rice • Furikake (Seaweed seasoning) The combination may seem unusual to first-time visitors, but to locals it perfectly represents Hawaii’s multicultural food culture. Japanese, American, and local island influences come together in one plate. The Origins of the Zip Pac® To understand the Zip Pac®, it helps to understand Zippy's itself. Brothers Francis and Charles Higa founded Zippy's Restaurants in Honolulu in 1966. Their vision was to create a restaurant serving the variety of local foods Hawaii residents wanted but couldn't easily find at traditional fast-food restaurants. Over time, Zippy's became Hawaii's favorite diner, known for island-style comfort food, chili, plate lunches, and family dining. As Hawaii's active lifestyle grew around beaches, parks, sporting events, and outdoor gatherings, customers wanted meals that were portable and filling. The Zip Pac® answered that need by bringing together a little bit of everything in one plate. Why the Zip Pac® Became So Popular Unlike traditional plate lunches that focus on a single protein, the Zip Pac® gives customers several local favorites in one meal. Its popularity can be attributed to three key factors: 1. Variety Customers don't have to choose a single protein - the Zip Pac® offers Fried Chicken, Hoki (breaded white fish), SPAM®, and Teriyaki beef! 2. Convenience The bento-style packaging makes the meal easy to transport to wherever life takes you — the beach, work, school, sports games, fishing trips, picnics, or even on an airplane! 3. Local Flavor The ingredients in a Zip Pac® reflect Hawaii's mixed plate of cultures, blending Japanese, American, and island culinary traditions into one meal. More than 50 years after its introduction, the Zip Pac® remains Zippy's best-selling menu item. Its enduring popularity demonstrates the timeless appeal of comfort food that is both convenient and familiar. While the Zippy's menu has expanded to include more island-style favorites such as Korean Fried Chicken, Chili, and bakery items, the Zip Pac® continues to be a signature offering.

Zippy’s Korean Fried Chicken: The Customer Favorite You Need to Try

If you're searching for the best Korean fried chicken in Hawaii, there's a good chance you've heard about Zippy's Korean Fried Chicken . Known for its irresistible combination of crispy chicken, sweet and savory garlic sauce, and island-style comfort food appeal, this menu favorite has become one of Zippy's most popular dishes across Hawaii and Nevada. What Makes Zippy's Korean Fried Chicken So Popular? Zippy's Korean Fried Chicken stands out because it perfectly balances texture and flavor. Each order features crispy, golden fried chunks of tender chicken coated with a sweet, salty, garlicky Korean-style sauce, served with two scoops of rice and macaroni salad — it delivers the ultimate Hawaii plate lunch experience. Unlike traditional fried chicken, Korean-style fried chicken is famous for its light, crunchy exterior and flavorful sauce. Zippy's version combines Korean-inspired flavors with Hawaii's unique food culture, creating a dish that appeals to both locals and visitors alike. The Perfect Blend of Korean and Hawaii Flavors One reason customers keep coming back is the fusion of cultures found in every bite. The sauce offers a delicious mix of sweet, savory, and garlicky notes, while the crispy chicken provides the satisfying crunch Korean fried chicken fans expect. Paired with traditional Hawaii-style sides, the meal becomes a true island comfort food experience. Hawaii's culinary scene is known for blending Asian and local influences, and Zippy's Korean Fried Chicken is a perfect example of that tradition. Whether you're craving something hearty for breakfast, flavorful for lunch, or looking for a satisfying dinner option, this dish consistently delivers. Best Ways to Enjoy Zippy's Korean Fried Chicken To get the most out of your meal, pair your Korean fried chicken with: • White rice and macaroni salad (Korean Fried Chicken Plate) • Mixed greens (Korean Fried Chicken Salad) • Zippy’s Original Chili (Korean Fried Chicken & Chili Mixed Plate) • Other island-style favorites from the Zippy's menu For decades, Zippy's has been a beloved part of Hawaii's dining culture, serving local favorites that bring people together. The Korean Fried Chicken has earned a dedicated following thanks to its flavor-packed sauce, crispy texture, and satisfying plate lunch presentation. Whether you're a longtime resident, a first-time visitor, or simply a fan of Korean-inspired cuisine, Zippy's Korean Fried Chicken deserves a spot on your must-try list. Next time you're craving Korean fried chicken, stop by your nearest Zippy's and discover why it’s become a fan-favorite.