Carl’s Jr and Oporto to open side by side at Rothwell

Two burger chains will open restaurants side-by-side this week north of Brisbane. One is a US-based franchise with a cult following and offering the first 50 people through the door free meals for a year. The other is an Australian business with big plans for Queensland.

Carl's Jr Rothwell is expected to open on December 13 at Rothwell Village. Photo Erin Smith

Two burger chains will open restaurants side-by-side on Thursday. One is a US based franchise with a cult following, the other an Australian business.

Carl’s Jr and Oporto will be the first two shops to open in the new Rothwell Village precinct, north of Redcliffe.

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Both burger restaurants are side-by-side in the complex and both will offer drive-through services.

Craig Tozer, chief executive officer of Portuguese chicken and burger chain Oporto.

Earlier this year Oporto said it was planning a big expansion in Queensland under chief executive Craig Tozer, who has moved to the state to oversee operations.

It will be the first freestanding drive-through Carl’s Jr to open on the north side of Brisbane, but the sixth in Queensland.

Carla Robertson-McIlwain, Krystal Sanson, Jacinta Pearson, Jikin Patel and Suri Singh are all managers at the new Carl's Jr Rothwell opening on December 13. Picture: Erin Smith

The first 50 people through the door on Thursday will win vouchers to eat free at Carl’s Jr for a whole year.

Carl’s Jr Rothwell area manager Eddie Swann has been involved in the opening of all seven franchises across Queensland.

“We are expecting a big crowd, people normally camp out,” he said.

The Rothwell restaurant will be run by seven managers and 100 other crew members.

Oporto, situated next door to Carl’s Jr, is also expected to open on Thursday.

The restaurant provided 60 new jobs to the area and will also include a drive-through option.

Rothwell Village is at the corner of Morris and Deception Bay roads.

It is the former home to the Redcliffe Produce store.

Also in the new complex is a Starbucks, car wash and service station.