Kuna is evolving, and on Friday, that growth takes the form of a kalua pig plate lunch. Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food is set to open its doors at 1460 E. Deer Flat Road, marking the 10th Idaho location for the Utah-based restaurant brand. The expansion into this former farm town is part of a trend that has seen other chains, including Jimmy John’s, Wingstop, and Panera Bread, appear in the past year or so.
The arrival of Mo’ Bettahs highlights the commercial shift in a community that is the 11th-fastest-growing city or town in America, according to recent census data.
A Celebration of Plates and ‘Ohana
The company is marking its entry into the Kuna market with a series of events. Before the official Friday opening, the restaurant will host a “Friends and ‘Ohana” sneak peek on Thursday. During this event, customers can receive a free mini-plate and drink between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., followed by a party from 5 to 7 p.m. featuring samples, merchandise and a photo booth.
Kimo Mack, cofounder of Mo’ Bettahs, emphasized the company’s desire to integrate into the local culture in a prepared statement. “Kuna is a close-knit town, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone in, pass around the plates and bring a little more ‘ohana to the neighborhood,” Mack noted. The menu will feature the brand’s staples, including teriyaki chicken, teriyaki steak, kalua pig, katsu chicken, pulehu chicken and shrimp tempura, with options for non-meat eaters, such as a mixed vegetable plate.
The Mechanics of a Rapid Expansion
Founded in 2008, the brand has scaled significantly, now operating more than 80 locations across a footprint that includes Utah, Idaho, Oklahoma, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, Minnesota, and Indiana. The Kuna location will operate from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday. While takeout remains a primary driver for the business model, many customers dine on-site.
For now, the focus in Kuna turns to Deer Flat Road, where the latest addition to the city’s commercial corridor begins its service.
