Buns Hawaii

May 28, 2023 | Case Study

Challenge

A foodservice kiosk concession at the University of Hawaii, Manoa Campus was in need of a refresh at the end of COVID. Due to the pandemic, many foodservice workers had left the state, so labor was in short supply, particularly skilled labor. At the same time, the kiosk was not a full-service kitchen, thus had limited options for foodservice offerings.

Solution

We created a new business model and brand called, “Buns Hawaii.” Foodservice offerings are centered on simple-to-make sandwiches (“Buns” or sliders) that low-skilled labor can plate. Meanwhile, brand merchandise playing on the classic “I [Heart] NY” t-shirts, “I [Heart] Buns… Hawai’i” become the real revenue center for the business as merchandise markups are 5X that of foodservice. A Buns lifestyle brand of products is in development featuring beach towels, sport towels, hats, booty shorts, stickers and t-shirts featuring bun puns. Merch is sold online, at food fairs and at the kiosk. Services provided include:

  • ✓ New Brand (name, logo, URL).
  • ✓ Environmental Graphics Design (kiosk).
  • ✓ Website Design & Development (BunsHawaii.com).
  • ✓ Merchandise Design (beach towels, sport towels, hats, booty shorts, stickers and t-shirts)