Sydney’s burger war heats up as Five Guys take on Wahlburgers in the CBD

Just six months after the first Australian Five Guys opened in Penrith, the cult burger chain has decided where to open its second Sydney outlet.

Sydney’s burger wars are heating up with cult US burger chain Five Guys opening a second Sydney site this year.

This new outlet will open in the heart of the CBD at 383 George St, underneath the heritage listed Spiden House and near Apple’s flagship store.

The announcement comes less than six months after opening their first Australian post, in Penrith.

There were long lines at Five Guys’ flagship Sydney restaurant when it opened in Penrith. Picture: Jonathan Ng

It also hotly follows the opening of Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg’s burger chain, Wahlburgers, in Circular Quay last month.

In a statement, representatives for Five Guys said they’d been looking for the right location to bring Five Guys to the city for some time.

“We have confidence that this site will do well, being on the refurbished George Street corridor, adjacent to strong global brands and close by Pitt Street mall,” they said.

The Penrith outlet will soon be joined by a second franchise in the heart of the city. Picture: Toby Zerna

Five Guys has developed a cult following in the US for its menu that focuses on fresh ingredients, house-made patties and fries, a range of 15 toppings and sauces and the fact they don’t use freezers or microwaves.

Basketball great Shaquille O’Neal is one of the celebrity Five Guys franchisees. He has owned 155 of the eateries.

The chain prides itself on fresh ingredients and burgers made in-house. Picture: Audrey Melton

Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group are responsible for bring the chain to Australia. They plan to open the CBD store mid this year, in a location originally supposed to be their first store before those plans were aborted due to Covid.

The Group plans to open additional sites across Sydney and Melbourne as well.

Wahlburgers, which is being brought to Australia with the Sydney-based Mustaca family, also plans to expand across the state with a second location due to open in Byron Bay next month.