From Fast Casual to Food Halls

MAR 1 – Climbing the ladder of the food and beverage industry is no easy feat, but when Sunny Pinhero founded Pinhero Construction, Inc. five and a half years ago, he had one goal in mind – to make Building Simplified. This approach has generated years of exponential growth for the socal-based contractor, meeting challenge after challenge with grit, endurance, and every kind of tool imaginable. Rightfully dubbed the “Foodie Contractor”, Pinhero Construction has gone on to complete a wide variety of large-scale projects, even ranking no. 2534 on the Inc. 5000 List for the Fastest Growing Private Companies in America. From building the first store for The Halal Guys in 2015, to finalizing Rodeo 39 Public Market during a global pandemic, Pinhero is no stranger to hard work.

Guests travel from all over to experience the flavors of middle-eastern cuisine from The Halal Guys, so when the opportunity came around for Pinhero to build the first west coast location in Costa Mesa, the decision was a no-brainer. “You could feel how excited people were for it to finally be in California, so it was really neat to be a part of their history while making our own” said Sunny, CEO and founder. Within the last five years, Pinhero has built seven additional locations for the franchise with six in California and one in Washington. Decorated with stainless steel interior, retro artwork, and flashy pops of red and yellow, The Halal Guys has become a staple in a state overrun with exorbitant burritos and $12 avocado toast.

Shortly following the completion of The Halal Guys, Pinhero teamed up with Afters Ice Cream. Famed for their Milky Bun, a creamy creation that combines generous helpings of ice cream nestled between a donut, the brand encourages guests to ditch their diets and hone a lifestyle free of restrictions. Featuring an edgy dark interior, Pinhero brought Afters’ vision to life with multiple stores across southern California.

And the ball just kept rolling. In 2018, the team closed out Cravings by 99 Ranch Market, a 56,000 sq. ft warehouse-style grocery that combines a multivendor food hall. Offering an assortment of international foods and beverages in a spacious environment, Cravings was carefully curated with nine tenants to round out the customer experience and bring a new twist to everyday shopping.

The completion of Cravings launched Pinhero into the food hall scene, but their expertise is what brought them to the forefront of Rodeo 39 Public Market. Navigating challenges from COVID-19, construction for the 37,000 sq. ft lifestyle center was completed in October for Frontier Real Estate Investments. Packed with 27 vendors, three outdoor patios, custom murals, and endless options for fare, this leisurely culinary experience has become a hot commodity for Orange County natives.  

From juggling multiple projects to seizing new ventures in the industrial, fitness, and public sectors, Pinhero continues to fill their plate. So what’s next? The team’s current endeavor, New Haven Marketplace, is in already in production and slated to be completed this summer. Enclosed in a glass façade, the 7,411 sq. ft food hall will be packed with four restaurants, a brewery, and a kiosk.