Purchase of four Sizzler restaurants almost done

By Andrew Gomes
Advertiser Staff Writer

One-time Sizzler restaurant manager Clinton Goo has teamed with real estate developer Bert A. Kobayashi to buy four of the five Sizzler steakhouses on O'ahu from the local Sallee family who established the chain in Hawai'i nearly 40 years ago.

The buyers, doing business as GoKo Restaurant Enterprises LLC, are purchasing franchised eateries in Kailua, Pearl City, Kapalama and Waipahu. The Waikiki Sizzler, which the seller recently closed, is not part of the deal.

A spokeswoman with franchisor Sizzler USA in California said it was premature to disclose details of the sale, which she said is expected to be completed this week.

GoKo has an application before the Honolulu Liquor Commission to assume the liquor licenses for the four restaurants from Sallee Hawaii Corp.

Goo and Kobayashi did not respond to requests for comment yesterday, though Sizzler employees confirmed Goo is taking over operations of the restaurants as new owner.

Gary Sallee, president of Sallee Hawaii, did not respond to requests for comment. Earlier this year, he said he decided to sell the franchise after his parents, who opened the first Hawai'i Sizzler in 1964, died in the past two years.

The five Sizzlers, Sallee said in July, brought in about $10 million in annual revenue. The five eateries employed 174 people.

The Sallee family originally expanded the franchise until the family sold it to a California firm in the '70s. It reacquired eight Sizzler restaurants out of bankruptcy in 1997, closed three of the eateries and refurbished the others.

The Waikiki Sizzler, at Kalakaua Avenue and Ala Moana, closed in the past several weeks.

Reach Andrew Gomes at 525-8065 or agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com.