Grill’d opens new burger joint in the heart of Byron Bay to ‘help save the planet’
Green conscious burger chain Grill’d has opened its 172nd restaurant in the heart of Byron. See what the fuss is all about.
Byron Shire
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Byron Bay has sprouted another unique food experience with the introduction of Grill’d - the Aussie burger joint that features ‘Gamechanger Beef’.
Moving into the old Byron Fresh Cafe site at 7 Jonson St, the franchise is one of the largest privately-owned restaurant groups in Australia, with the Byron addition being its 172nd restaurant.
The Byron Bay Grill’d is the first in the chain to be serving free-range, grass-fed, black Angus “Gamechanger” beef as a standard inclusion across most of the beef burger range.
Yet some in the community see the addition as a slippery slope to other big chains taking to the town.
Comments from social media from one Byron resident: “I remember Byron before the franchises. The town was hell bent on trying to stop the evil doers - and they did succeed for a short time. Franchises steal the souls from every town.”
Another commented: “And next minute McDonald’s arrive”, along with “Nothing says community like a franchise”.
In 2018, Byron local and now CEO of Sea Forest, Sam Elsom, figured out that by feeding cattle a small amount of naturally sourced seaweed (Asparagopsis - native to Tasmania), methane from cow burps has been reduced by over 67 per cent.
“Grill’d have been important partners to us at Sea Forest and pioneers in bringing low emissions beef burgers to Australians and we’re proud to see this grow to where it is today, opening the first dedicated restaurant in my hometown,” Mr Elsom said.
“Our work at Sea Forest is important globally and has the potential to reduce over 30 per cent of global methane emissions but our impact can only be created through collaboration.
“That’s why we’re thrilled to be working together with the team at Grill’d, to create real climate impact today.”
Grill’d Head of Strategic Sourcing, Zoran Ristov said Gamechanger beef is juicy and delicious.
“It’s surf and turf, but not like you know it,” Mr Ristov said.
“It’s been a long, hard and slow process to set up our own farm that would enable us to lead the way with progressive, kind and sustainable farming.
“But over two years later, we’ve now opened our doors to the community of Byron, and introduced them to our more sustainable beef, paired perfectly with 100 per cent natural, fresh and locally-sourced ingredients.
“As an example, our cos lettuce will be supplied by Stacked Farm on the Gold Coast, which practises revolutionary carbon-negative vertical farming.”
The green centred burger joint powers up their grills with 21 solar panels on the roof, uses compostable cling wrap and staff threads boast bandanas made from recycled plastic bottles.
Grill’d is located at 7 Jonson St Byron Bay.
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