The “Zippy’s Gals,”
pictured, were known to provide
quick, efficient service
with a smile.
OUR JOURNEY
Zippy's story begins with two brothers, Francis and Charlie Higa. Together, they opened their first location on South King Street. At the time their goal was simple, provide quick and convenient meals to families of Hawai'i through a fast-food counter and the Saimin Lānai, which quickly became popular for serving dinner to their late-night guests. These early years also introduced some of the brand's first recognizable elements, including the original Zippy's logo with its elongated "Z" and red dots. Moki Man joined the story as Zippy's first mascot, capturing the idea of someone "zipping" over for a quick bite.
With the help of mentors, family friends and many others, the first Zippy’s opened on Oct. 17, 1966, and was an instant hit. Charles and Francis say they owe their success especially to the restaurant’s first employees, who worked hard to bring excellent customer service.
First Zippy’s location opens in McCully and features the Saimin Lānai at the rear of the restaurant. The Zip Min is part of the original menu, which also features the smiling Hawaiian Moki Man.
As Zippy’s gained popularity throughout the 1970s, the company continued to grow across O‘ahu, opening eight new locations. The decade also brought the debut of the Zip Pac®, which would go on to become a Zippy’s favorite. The brand took on a new look with an updated logo featuring rounded shapes and the era’s signature orange and brown colors. Zippy’s also expanded beyond its restaurants with A Catered Experience, offering a new option for banquets, parties, and special gatherings.
Kaimukī location opens
Benefit Chili fundraising
program is introduced
Waipahu location opens
May 1971
Debut of Zip Pac®
Waimalu location opens
Kapahulu location opens
Kāne‘ohe location opens
Makiki location opens; Logo changes to rounded squares with orange and brown
Waiau location opens;
A Catered Experience is
introduced
A Sweet New Chapter
The 1980s brought continued growth for Zippy's, with eight additional locations opening and the launch of the first Napoleon's Bakery production facility. In 1983, bakery plant manager Jan Tsukazaki and head baker Eddie Kaneshiro invented the Apple Napple®, a flaky, apple-filled pastry that quickly became a local favorite. As Napoleon's Bakery grew, it eventually found a home in all 14 of Zippy's locations across O'ahu. Zippy's also introduced its Senior Club Program, creating a new way to give back to longtime members of the community.
Another kid’s meal offered at Zippy’s and huge hit with ’80s keiki
to give back to the community's Senior citizens through discounted purchases.
Nimitz location opens
Dillingham location opens
Dillingham location opens
Napoleon’s Bakery opens as a production facility
First Napoleon’s Bakery
at Zippy’s
January 1984
Debut of Apple Napple®
Osaka Okazuya is introduced
Debut of Surf Pac with HIC Surf Meet
Germaine’s Lū‘au
is acquired by Zippy’s,
now FCH Enterprises Inc.
Pearlridge location opens
Vineyard location opens
Napoleon’s Bakery expands to each of Zippy’s 14 locations across O’ahu
Koko Marina location oepns
Kailua location opens
Next Stop...
The 1990s brought a fresh chapter for Zippy’s, including the memorable “Next Stop, Zippy’s” marketing campaign. The brand also refreshed its logo, shortening the signature “Z,” adding the red dot, and returning to the classic red and black color palette. During this period, the company became FCH Enterprises, Inc. as it expanded its portfolio beyond the Zippy’s brand.
Kalihi location opens
Kapolei location opens
Pearl City location opens
Waipi’o location opens
Production for Napoleon Bakery moves to current Waipi’o location
Food Solutions International is introduced
Debut of “Next stop, Zippy’s” marketing campaign
Kahala location opens with Kahala Sushi
Sushi Bar opens in Pearl City location
Debut of Korean chicken; Debut of retail chili in supermarkets
Expanding Beyond Oʻahu
During the 2000s, Zippy's evolved beyond its restaurants as the company became FCH Enterprises, reflecting a growing family of businesses. This new chapter expanded the company's reach while continuing its commitment to serving Hawaiʻi with the same quality, hospitality, and aloha that customers had come to know for generations.
Zippy’s renamed FCH Enterprises Inc.
Mililani location opens
Logo changed to “Z” with a red dot
Ewa location opens
Kahului, Maui, location opens
- Receives the ʻIlima Awards Star Circle Award
- Expands corporate giving through a major community support initiative
- Donates $40,000 to the Shane Victorino Foundation
- Begins a long standing partnership with HUGS, contributing $42,920 initially and more than $6,000 annually for over 20 years
- Honored with the ʻIlima Awards Star Circle Award
- Donates $26,000 to the Shane Victorino Foundation
- Supports HUGS with a $31,800 donation
- Receives the Foodservice Beef Backer Award
- Earns top honors in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Hawaiʻi's Best Awards, including Best Bento and Best Late Night Eatery
- Receives the ʻIlima Awards Star Circle Award
- Donates $22,000 to the Shane Victorino Foundation
- Contributes $18,473 to HUGS
- Donates $25,000 to Kapiʻolani Medical Center
- Opens Pōmaikaʻi Ballrooms in the former Dole Ballrooms location
- Earns top honors in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Hawaiʻi's Best Awards, including Best Bento, Best Family Dining, and Best Late-Night Eatery
- Receives the ʻIlima Awards Star Circle Perpetual Award
- Donates more than $72,000 to local organizations, including HUGS, the Blood Bank of Hawaiʻi, and the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific
Hilo, Hawai‘i, location opens
- Receives the ʻIlima Awards Star Circle Perpetual Award
- Recognized in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Hawaiʻi's Best Awards for Best Bento, Best Family Dining, and Best Late-Night Eatery
- Donates more than $75,000 to local organizations, including Kapiʻolani Medical Center, MDA of Hawaiʻi, and the American Diabetes Association
- Receives the ʻIlima Awards Star Circle Perpetual Award
- Earns top honors in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Hawaiʻi's Best Awards, including Best Bento, Best Family Dining, and Best Late Night Eatery
- Donates $52,200 to Special Olympics Hawaiʻi
- Contributes $43,800 to HUGS
- Donates $41,300 to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
- Contributes $5,000 to BIIF Hilo
- Receives the ʻIlima Awards Star Circle Perpetual Award
- Earns top honors in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Hawaiʻi's Best Awards, including Best Bento, Best Family Dining, and Best Late Night Eatery
- Donates $52,200 to Special Olympics Hawaiʻi
- Contributes $43,800 to HUGS
- Donates $41,300 to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
- Contributes $5,000 to BIIF Hilo
The 2020s challenged businesses across the world, and Zippy's adapted while continuing to serve Hawaiʻi. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company expanded its digital ordering experience to better meet customers where they were, invested in new technology, and continued growing beyond the islands with locations in Las Vegas. As Zippy's celebrates 60 years, the focus remains the same: honoring tradition while building for the future.
Online ordering went live at select locations
The first ever Zippy's App went live!
August 2022
Aloha, Zipster Rewards! Launched our first-ever loyalty program.
2023
Zippy's first location outside of Hawaii opens: Arroyo Crossing
Hualapai opens
300K+ App Store downloads and counting! Zippy's App makes ordering your favorites quick, easy and convenient!
Summerlin opens
Camino Al Norte opens