That Was Delicious

91. Seven Brothers: From a Humble Grill in Hawaii to 16 Locations & Counting


Listen Later

Join thousands of other listeners on our Substack, The Foodletter!

 

In this inspiring and insight-packed episode, Brooke sits down with Utah-based entrepreneur and restaurateur Shem Hannemann to talk about the highs, lows, and hard truths of building restaurant brands that people love. Shem opens up about his early creative ventures, what it really takes to start a restaurant from scratch, and how his passion for design, people, and food have fueled a career rooted in both hospitality and hustle. From the initial concept of Sunday’s Best to facing hard moments of burnout, Shem delivers a transparent and motivating look at what it takes to succeed in the food world—and how staying curious and community-focused keeps him moving forward.

 

Whether you're a restaurant lover, aspiring business owner, or creative looking for inspiration, this episode delivers clarity, honesty, and encouragement in spades.

 

Key Takeaways

  • [03:28] Family Roots and Resilience: Shem’s grandparents immigrated from Samoa to Hawaii, seeking better opportunities. Their hard work and sacrifice laid the foundation for the family’s success.

  • [08:17] The Power of Family and Culture: Surfing and the ocean played a central role in keeping the brothers connected and grounded, influencing the restaurant’s beach-themed branding.

  • [16:17] From Humble Beginnings to Expansion: The first Seven Brothers location, Kahuku Grill, opened in 2009 with minimal experience and a $2.75 burger that initially lost money. Through word of mouth and community support, the business grew.

  • [19:56] Menu Evolution: The iconic "Shemburger" was born out of experimentation, and the menu expanded from seafood to gourmet burgers, now a cornerstone of the brand.

  • [29:10] Expansion and Franchising: Seven Brothers now has multiple locations (4 in Hawaii, 7 in Utah, and 1 in Arizona), with 4 more opening soon. Franchising has allowed local families to bring the brand to their communities.

  • [41:05] Lessons in Resilience: Shem credits his parents’ optimism and hard work as the driving force behind the business’s success, emphasizing the mantra "this too shall pass."

 

Notable Quotes

  • (3:28) "Our grandparents immigrated from Samoa to Hawaii. They wanted a better life for their kids... my dad comes from a family of 14."

  • (15:40) “Don’t do it—it’s the highest fail rate... we don’t have experience.”

  • (42:20) “This too shall pass… good times or bad—just weather it. Something good will come.” – Shem Hannemann

  • (46:39) “It’s a mess, but it’s my favorite burger right now.”

 

Resources

  • Visit the official Seven Brothers website.

  • Follow Seven Brothers on Instagram

  • Follow Female Foodie on Instagram

 

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

That Was DeliciousBy Brooke Eliason

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

117 ratings


More shows like That Was Delicious

View all
BYU Speeches by BYU Speeches

BYU Speeches

1,471 Listeners

Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio by Milk Street Radio

Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio

2,982 Listeners

Dear Alice | Interior Design by Alice Lane

Dear Alice | Interior Design

1,501 Listeners

Y Religion by BYU Religious Education

Y Religion

1,798 Listeners

Church News by Church News

Church News

920 Listeners

followHIM by Hank Smith & John Bytheway

followHIM

10,600 Listeners

Standard of Truth by Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat

Standard of Truth

941 Listeners

The Scriptures Are Real by Kerry Muhlestein

The Scriptures Are Real

507 Listeners

New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce by Wondery

New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

18,464 Listeners

Magnify by LDS Living

Magnify

446 Listeners

The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

The Mel Robbins Podcast

20,192 Listeners

Inklings with Emily Belle Freeman by Emily Belle Freeman

Inklings with Emily Belle Freeman

715 Listeners

Food Friends: Home Cooking Made Easy by Food Friends

Food Friends: Home Cooking Made Easy

222 Listeners

The Lizzy Jensen Show by Lizzy Jensen

The Lizzy Jensen Show

164 Listeners

Good Hang with Amy Poehler by The Ringer

Good Hang with Amy Poehler

9,580 Listeners