Betty’s Burgers to replace Tropicana carvery at Gold Coast Hwy corner at Burleigh Heads

Rumours a McDonald’s would set up shop at an “iconic” Burleigh Heads corner site have been dashed, with a different national burger chain signing up instead. Find out who

Rumours a McDonald’s would set up shop at an “iconic” Burleigh Heads corner site have been dashed, with a different national burger chain signing up instead.

Betty’s Burgers, famed for its classic burgers, own-label beers and thick frozen-custard shakes, has been confirmed as the new tenant of the site on the corner of Gold Coast Hwy and Connor St.

The site was the previous long-time home of the Tropicana carvery and fish and chip shop.

Tropicana closed late last year after developer Josh Guok bought the corner site for $9.38m.

Former Tropicana store at Burleigh Heads. Picture: Richard Gosling

Betty’s Burgers Australia obtained Queensland Liquor and Gaming approval for a premises name change from Tropicana to Betty’s Burgers Burleigh on February 20.

The chain’s Melbourne headquarters also registered the business name Betty’s Burgers Burleigh with ASIC on February 8, along with names for stores in Williamstown, Victoria, and Green Hills in NSW in the same week, suggesting the expansion goes beyond Burleigh.

The Gold Coast Bulletin has contacted the Betty’s Burgers head office for comment.

Rumours a McDonald’s restaurant would set up on the corner, fuelled by an unfounded Facebook post, sparked a firestorm of opposition from locals lamenting the suburb was losing its village appeal.

Mr Guok said at the time McDonald’s would “absolutely not” be moving into the vacant site.

“I won’t kill Burleigh like that,” he said.

“That will certainly kill the ‘village vibe’.”

Keisha Padua, 16 and Sophia Mayes, 18 at Betty's Burgers Pacific Fair. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The corner first opened for diners more than 30 years ago as Pacific Carvery, before being refurbished and renamed Burleigh Tropicana in 2004.

Brothers Nick and George Ross became its landlords in 2020 after their family fell in love with the eatery.

Nick Ross was won over when he ate his first pork roll with gravy in 1998 with his mum Rose. Rose Ross purchased the property for $1.33m in June 2000 and it was transferred to her sons two decades later.

Betty’s Burgers was founded in Noosa in 2014 and has since expanded rapidly, to have more than 60 stores as of May last year.

The chain’s parent company, Retail Zoo, also operates Salsa Fresh Mex and Boost Juice and is chaired by Boost founder Janine Allis.

Originally published as Betty’s Burgers to replace Tropicana carvery at Gold Coast Hwy corner at Burleigh Heads