Sunshine Coast restaurant and steakhouse Hog‘s Breath Cafe Mooloolaba closes after 30 years

The closure of Hog’s Breath at Mooloolaba’s dining precinct after decades of service has left a huge vacancy. Now the developer has opened up on what could replace it.

Hog‘s Breath Mooloolaba owner Manfred Lorber pictured in May 2020 when he spoke out about his business’s struggles.

The closure of Hog’s Breath Mooloolaba after three decades has left a noticeable vacancy at the wharf dining precinct which is already home to restaurants with cult-followings.

The Wharf Mooloolaba general manager Karen Hugg said the Hog‘s Breath Cafe Mooloolaba closed in November last year after celebrating its 30th anniversary in the same year.

Ms Hugg said the restaurant famous for its curly fries was one of the first food venues at the wharf after it was built in 1988, but likely had to now “hang up the apron” because it struggled to remain relevant.

The general manager said businesses at the wharf were successful if they delivered a product or service that left customers in love and wanting to return.

Ms Hugg said she would soon be looking for a new tenant, saying she has already received “so much” interest in the venue given its prime location.

Hog’s Breath is famous for its steaks and curly fries.

“There is a lot of interest with what is going to happen,” she said.

Dirk Long, the director of Wharf Mooloolaba developer Evans Long, said the restaurant was “closed for good” following several of the franchises closing down nationwide in the past six months.

“Unfortunately, Mooloolaba is another one,” he said.

Mr Long said the franchisees had been “struggling”, possibly because they hadn’t “reinvented” themselves.

Dirk Long (right) and Matthew Evans pictured at the Wharf complex at Mooloolaba. Photo: Warren Lynam / Sunshine Coast Daily

Mr Long said he will be looking to find a new tenant but not before he made renovations.

He said he wanted to redesign the end of the wharf where the restaurant existed, refurbish the restaurant, and sign one or several new tenants as replacements, whether retailers or food and beverage venues.

“Exciting times,” he said.

Hog’s Breath Cafe Mooloolaba announced on Facebook on November 22, 2022 that it was temporarily closed “until further notice” due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

Hog’s Breath Cafe Mooloolaba owner Manfred Lorber was approached but declined to comment.