Islands (restaurant) facts for kids
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A location in Anaheim Hills
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Trade name
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Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks |
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| Private | |
| Industry | Restaurants |
| Genre | Casual dining |
| Founded | May 1982, in West Los Angeles, California |
| Founder | Tony DeGrazier |
| Headquarters |
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U.S..
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Number of locations
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39 (2024) |
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Key people
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Michael Smith (CEO) Neil Mactaggart (President) |
| Products | Burgers, tacos, chicken sandwiches, salads, alcoholic beverages |
| Owner | Tony DeGrazier |
Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks, often just called Islands, is a restaurant chain known for its burgers, fresh-cut french fries, and special drinks. It's a place for casual dining, meaning it's relaxed and family-friendly.
The restaurants have a fun, tropical theme. They are decorated to feel like you're in Hawaii. This design is based on the Hawaiian idea of "ohana," which means family. While Islands is famous for its burgers, the menu also includes other food like tacos, chicken sandwiches, and large salads.
The Story of Islands Restaurants
The company's main office is in Carlsbad, California. Islands is a private company, which means you can't buy a franchise to open your own location. The company owns all of its restaurants directly.
How Did It All Begin?
Islands was started in May 1982 by an entrepreneur named Tony DeGrazier. An entrepreneur is someone who starts their own business. The very first Islands restaurant opened in West Los Angeles, California.
Tony got the idea for a beach-themed restaurant in the 1960s. At the time, he was serving in the U.S. Navy and was stationed on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. He was inspired by the laid-back, surf-and-beach lifestyle he saw there.
Growing and Changing
By the late 2000s, the restaurant chain had become very popular. It grew to have more than 50 locations across the Southwestern United States. Sadly, the original Islands restaurant in West LA closed in 2018 because the rent for the building became too expensive.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company faced challenges and had to close eight of its restaurants. These included its only locations in the states of Nevada and Hawaii. Around this time, in 2020, the founder Tony DeGrazier retired and sold the company to a group of private investors.
In 2023, Islands tried something new. It launched a service called Tortilla Beach by Islands. This is a take-out and delivery service that offers Mexican-style food like burritos, tacos, and bowls.
See also
- List of hamburger restaurants
- List of restaurant chains in the United States
