The grand opening of Konala on January 24 showed just how eager Spokane is for healthy fast food. Over 1,000 customers visited the former Carl’s Jr. site, setting new sales records for the company’s North Idaho locations.
Founders Trace and Jammie Miller first launched Konala in Post Falls in 2023 and opened another in Coeur d’Alene in 2024. The restaurant is named after their rescue dogs, Kona and Nala, and features a drive-thru with a 100% gluten-free menu filled with fresh meals.
“Our goal is to make healthy food tasty and easy to get,” Trace explained. “It’s like meal prep, but made to order.”
This isn’t the Millers’ first experience in the food industry. They previously owned the Bunker Bar and ran a food truck called Bunker Burger. The arrival of their son, Colt, two years ago motivated them to focus on creating a family-friendly business.
“The bar was fun, but we wanted something we could pass down to our son,” Jammie shared. “We’ve always embraced a healthy lifestyle, which didn’t really fit with running a bar.”
Health and wellness are close to their hearts. Trace has a personal story that drives his passion—he was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy as a child and faced a challenging journey. “I had over 100 seizures a day when I was two,” he said. Thanks to a strict diet and specialized care, he has been seizure-free since he was seven. This experience shaped his belief in the power of whole foods.
Konala’s menu is focused and features a range of protein-rich choices like teriyaki chicken, ahi tuna, and blackened shrimp, served over rice or greens. You can also swap any protein for tofu at no extra cost. Trace’s favorite is the burrito bowl, packed with chicken breast, cheese, tortillas, salsa, avocado, and ranch—he claims he could eat it daily.
Other crowd favorites include the Greek bowl and honey Sriracha chicken bowl, each bringing their own flavor and freshness. For a different take on chicken strips, try their air-fried, non-breaded version available in spicy or regular with your choice of sauce.
They also offer mini bowls for smaller appetites, with clear labeling of proteins, carbs, fats, and calories. And for your furry friends, Konala has grilled chicken bites, which served 7,000 dogs last year at their Post Falls location!
Instead of sugary sodas, Konala offers healthier drinks like Olipop prebiotic sodas, teas, and lemonades from a local Idaho company. The Spokane location is their first franchise run by Conrad Manfred, with plans to open more in Spokane Valley, South Hill, and even expand to Arizona, Montana, and Utah.
“We want to change how people see fast food,” Trace said, reflecting their commitment to healthier options.