Zippy's Restaurants officials are waiting for a final permit before they can begin construction on their restaurant in Kahului, said Jeanine Mamiya-Kalahiki, marketing manager for the popular O'ahu restaurant chain.

But construction crews doing preliminary work on the site at Mokulele Highway and Ho'okele Street already have some Maui residents excited.

It's no surprise to Mamiya-Kalahiki, who said she expected residents to be curious as soon as crews erected dust screens around the site. "We are very anxious," she added.

Zippy's Restaurants, the unofficial king of local fast food, has 24 locations on O'ahu. It is known for its chili, fried chicken, Napples turnovers and a selection of late-night snacks, including signature local specials such as the Zip Min, a special ramen dish and the Zip Pac bento box.

The Maui Zippy's will include a dine-in restaurant, a fast-food takeout counter and a Napoleon's Bakery outlet.

Previous reports indicated that Maui's restaurant could seat about 224. The lot in the Maui Business Park is 46,000 square feet, and officials previously had said the restaurant would cover between 6,000 and 7,000 square feet.

It is unclear if the Maui Zippy's will be open 24 hours like its O'ahu counterparts.

Mamiya-Kalahiki said Zippy's is recruiting assistant managers for the Maui site. Those interested may call (808) 973-0880.

The Maui Zippy's originally was set to open in 2005. But company officials elected to open another O'ahu site in 'Ewa before Maui. The 'Ewa restaurant was delayed because of permitting processes but since has opened.

Zippy's Restaurants is owned by FCH Enterprises Inc. Founders Charles Higa and the late Francis Higa started Zippy's in 1966.