Hank’s Haute Dogs owner tests waters for sale

Every 12 years, Henry Adaniya likes to upend things. It’s been that long since he opened Hank’s Haute Dogs in Kakaako, and now he’s exploring a sale.

“It’s 12 years, so I’m getting kind of antsy,” Adaniya said Tuesday.

He doesn’t want to shutter Hank’s, nor does he necessarily want to sever his ties with the upscale hot-dog spot he opened in 2007. “Ideally, I would find a partner to take it to the next level.”

The restaurant was placed on commercial property lists a few weeks ago at $600,000 — half of that for the property at Salt at Our Kakaako, equipment and lease; the other half for acquiring the brand.

Adaniya said he is not considering buyers who want to turn the space into something else. “I’m not looking to close Hank’s. I don’t want to see that go.”

But the brand is ready for expansion, he said, and he doesn’t have the experience to run multiple outlets. Hank’s now has one additional location, in Lahaina.

The listing was a way to test the waters, and has drawn about a half-dozen inquiries from local, mainland and Japanese interests, Adaniya said. He is hoping to find an experienced individual or a restaurant group, perhaps interested in keeping him on as a partner.

If not, he has other projects in mind: consulting, writing, perhaps even opening a wine bar.

Twelve years does seem to be a marker in Adaniya’s career. He came to Hawaii from Chicago after 12 years as owner of Trio, a restaurant that accumulated five Mobil Travel Guide stars under acclaimed chef Grant Achatz. Trio closed in 2006, and Adaniya left Chicago’s cold for Hawaii, where his parents once ran a hot-dog stand.

The upscale restaurant was the occupation of his youth, he said. “Hot dogs were my midlife thing.”

Turning 65 this year, he is looking toward the next 12 years. “I don’t think retirement is ever in the cards. Ask any restaurateur.”

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The King Kamehameha Celebration Commission has appointed Amy Hammond, a local marketing and event production specialist, as its new executive director. Prior to joining the commission, Hammond served as executive director of Made in Hawaii Festival where she handled public relations, marketing and operations as well as coordinated the Hawaii Book and Music Festival, including managing the event’s public relations efforts.