Orlando based Hawkers Asian Street Food cooks up a major investment

Hawkers, which only emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2025, has attracted investment from Savory Fund.

Orlando based Hawkers, the Asian street food concept has announced a partnership with Savory Fund, setting the stage for what the company calls, "a major growth chapter fueled by operational firepower and deep hospitality expertise."

In a remarkable turnaround, Hawkers had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2024 and voluntarily withdrew from Chapter 11 in February 2025.

Now with the help of this partnership, private equity firm Savory Fund will help grow the brand to new markets, together with paying off the company's remaining debts.

Founded in 2011 in Orlando, Florida by four childhood friends, Hawkers has grown into a high-energy, flavor-forward dining experience with 15 thriving locations across the Southeast and Texas. Inspired by the bold flavors found in the vibrant hawker stalls of Asia, the brand delivers authentic street food in an atmosphere made for sharing — and celebrating.

Now, with the backing of Savory Fund — an innovative restaurant investment firm known for scaling powerhouses like Swig, Mo' Bettahs and Via 313 — Hawkers is poised for its next big leap.

"I've been watching Hawkers for years. The food, the energy, the following — it's magnetic," said Andrew K. Smith, co-founder and Managing Director of Savory Fund. "From my very first visit, I knew there was something special here. And over time, my conviction only deepened. The team, the guest loyalty, the cultural connection — it's the kind of brand you don't just scale, you rally behind. With momentum building and a rock-solid foundation in place, now is the time."

Hawkers was launched by Kaleb Harrell, Allen Lo, Wayne Yung, and Kin Ho after traveling together through Asia and falling in love with the flavors, textures, and spirit of street food culture. Since then, they've built a category-defying brand that's both chef-driven and wildly approachable — earning everything from Michelin Guide recommendations to cult-level fan devotion.

"We built Hawkers on heart, hustle, and a hunger to share everything that makes Asian street food special," said Kaleb Harrell, CEO and co-founder of Hawkers. "Over the years, it's become clear that this brand has the potential to be something bigger than we ever dreamt it could be — and finding the right partner is crucial to achieving that goal. Savory is that partner. This isn't just about capital; it's about expertise, energy, and alignment with a partner who loves the soul of this brand as much as we do. Savory understands what makes Hawkers special — the heart, the hustle, and the hunger — and together I know we are headed for something legendary. This is the right team, and this is the right time."

Hawkers continues to outperform the category, boasting standout AUVs of $4.6 million and an impressive 4.8-star guest satisfaction score across the system. And while most casual dining brands see an average guest 1.5 times per year, over 50% of Hawkers' dine-in traffic comes from fans who visit 5+ times annually — with some locations seeing more than half of their dine-in guests return 8+ times a year.

With strongholds in key markets like Orlando, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Dallas, Charlotte, and Nashville, Hawkers already has momentum in some of the country's most vibrant food scenes. The next phase of expansion will double down on these high-performing markets — building deeper roots, bigger footprints, and even stronger guest loyalty where demand is already off the charts.

Hawkers marks the third investment into Savory Fund III's portfolio, which includes acai and smoothie concept South Block and the European-style patisserie Bonrue Bakery, announced just last week.

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