Mark Wahlberg signs deal to bring US Wahlburgers chain to Australia

Hollywood heavyweight Mark Wahlberg loved his recent trip to Sydney so much he is returning to bring his iconic chain of burger restaurants across the country – with the first one to start cooking at Circular Quay within months.

Sydney’s busy burger scene is about to get a taste of Hollywood.

Actor Mark Wahlberg loved his recent trip to the city so much he is coming back to open up his chain of burger restaurants across the country – with the first one to start cooking at Circular Quay within months.

The Spenser Confidential star and his two brothers are going into partnership with the Sydney based Mustaca family, who own the United Cinemas chain, in a deal worth more than $50m.

“I am so excited about the first Wahlburgers location in Sydney Australia. I am partnering up with the Mustaca family and hopefully we will be not only bringing you Wahlburgers but wonderful cinematic experiences,” Wahlberg, 49, told The Daily Telegraph.

Mark Wahlberg during a meeting at his hotel, the Sofitel Darling Harbour in mid-December. Picture: Chris Khoury

The movie-themed restaurants will open in 15 locations inside or next to United cinemas in Australia including Warriewood and Narellan in Sydney, Craigieburn in Melbourne, Indooroopilly in Brisbane and Rockingham in Perth. They will employ more than 500 people

The first will open its doors in Circular Quay within months.

“What we are really focusing on now is creating exclusive content just for the customers. So people will see movie trailers early and all that stuff,” Wahlberg said.

Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg shaking hands with Sam Mustaca from United Cinemas as Sam’s father Roy Mustaca looks on. Picture: Chris Khoury

A reality show on the Wahlburgers restaurants in the US ran for 10 seasons and created a cult following for the chain.

“When we launched the television show we had one store, you know the original Wahlburgers, and we were in kind of like a shipyard in the back of nowhere and people were coming just lining around the door,” the star said.

He credited the success of the burger chain to his “perfectionist” chef brother Paul, who co-owns the restaurant with Wahlberg and their actor brother Donnie.

United Cinema owner Sam Mustaca, who runs the cinema chain with his opera singer father Roy, said the joint venture was “a very good marriage between two cinema families”.

Mark Wahlberg during his meeting with Roy Mustaca. Picture: Chris Khoury

Mr Mustaca said he had originally approached the Wahlbergs in 2017 and the deal would have been inked sooner but had been delayed because of the pandemic.

It was finally signed in Sydney last month when Wahlberg flew in to film an advertisement for Ladbrokes.

“We spent a couple of days with him here going over the details,” Mr Mustaca said.

“It all came together pretty quickly in the end and we shook hands on it before he left.”

Mark Wahlberg in a scene from the movie Mile 22.

Mr Mustaca said he was confident the new venture would succeed despite the coronavirus lockdowns. “People are social, they want to get out and see things on the big screen and share the experience,” he said.

Partnering with the US burger chain was a natural extension of the business and moviegoing experience of the customers.

“In business we want to be with like-minded individuals, I cannot tell you how happy they are and we are with this deal,” Mr Mustaca said.

Wahlberg has promised to return for the opening of the first restaurant in Sydney.