Store closures in South Australia cuts the number of Hog’s Australia Steakhouse restaurants to 73

The Queensland franchise of Hog’s Australia Steakhouse is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month. But it’s not all happy news for the high-profile restaurant chain.

It’s been a bitter-sweet time for Hog’s chief executive Ross Worth who has seen two steakhouse restaurants close in the same month the Queensland franchise is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

The closure of South Australian stores at Glenelg and Holden Hill reduced the number of Hog’s Australia Steakhouse restaurants to 73 from an all-time high of 80 just 18 months ago.

It follows the closure of the long-established eatery at Petrie Terrace last April while the inaugural Hog’s Express outlet in the Myer Centre, which was on a short-term lease, shut.

Hog’s Breath Cafe closes Brisbane restaurant

The express restaurant was relocated to Burpengary where it occupies a former coffee shop that has been re-fitted to become the first Hog’s drive-thru restaurant.

Mr Worth said there were no plans to open new restaurants in the immediate future, and that included fast-food outlets, and nor could he guarantee no other Hog’s closures.

“The economy is very challenging and our number one focus is that our existing franchise partners are profitable, their businesses are operating well and we are providing them with support,” Mr Worth said.

Neither could they be accused of complacency.

“Every 12 to 18 months we refresh our menu and every three years our corporate chef visits somewhere in the globe where dining trends are relevant.”

He said the demise of Adelaide restaurants came after the sole owner basically shut them overnight, but they are not expected to be vacant for long.

Mr Worth fielded calls for both restaurants within 48 hours of them closing.

“We have three interested parties in Glenelg and we are dealing with an enquiry on the Holden Hill site ... our expectations are that we will re-open both of them,” he said.

As for Hog’s expanding its fast food stores, the Burpengary outlet is still a work in progress.

Hog's chief executive Ross Worth. Pic Annette Dew

They are still to nail down all relevant services areas and only when that is accomplished would they consider expanding that arm of their business, Mr Worth said.

“We are playing with the menu, food and products and make sure they can be delivered quickly and that means revamping the menu to suit the quick service market,” he said.

He said the silver lining for franchisees over the past few years had been home delivery with “about 95 per cent” of the Hogs’ restaurants offering the service.

The first Hog’s restaurant opened at Airlie Beach in 1989 and Mr Worth said reaching 30 years was an achievement of which the company was proud.