Carl’s Jr Toowoomba: Former city McDonald’s franchisee Keith Beer reveals role in establishing first restaurant in city

He was once one of Toowoomba’s ‘McDonald’s Kings’ – now developer and former fast food guru Keith Beer is bringing a new international franchise to the Garden City.

One of the world’s most famous burger franchises is finally coming to Toowoomba – with a little help from a former Garden City “Macca’s King”.

Ex-Toowoomba McDonald’s franchisee Keith Beer has revealed he will build the city’s first Carl’s Jr restaurant on Bridge St in Wilsonton.

Mr Beer, who finally divested from the Golden Arches in 2021 with the sale of his Harristown location, helped secure development approvals through the Toowoomba Regional Council in February.

He will also build the 300sq m drive-through eatery for the franchisee – his nephew David Beer.

Keith Beer. Photo: Bev Lacey / The Chronicle

Mr Beer said he had been approached by Carl’s Jr Australia on multiple occasions to help the company cut into Toowoomba’s lucrative fast food market, but had to wait until he had finally untangled himself with McDonald’s.

“They had talks with me some years ago and I couldn’t do anything because I was still tied up with McDonald’s (but) I thought it would be a good concept,” he said.

“We’d been to Melbourne several times and they were very happy with the site.

“I’ve just taken the houses away, it’s been through council and approved for a material change of use.

“They’ve got (David) as operator and I will be building it, not controlling it.”

Carl's Jr burger joint in Cranbourne

Mr Beer said once he secured the operational works approval from council, construction should start before the end of the year.

The restaurant will employ between 100 and 120 people once operational.

Mr Beer said he was excited by what the brand could bring to Toowoomba.

“We still need the building permit — all the preliminaries are there, but now we’re putting the operational works permit together now,” he said.

“You go and taste a Carl’s burger with everything freshly-made — I’m not knocking Maccas but things do change, things are being done fresh.

“This is all cut up daily, everything is fresh. The tenders are made as you order them — I absolutely love their chicken tenders.”

Carl's Jr meal.

Mr Beer indicated his nephew might not stop at one restaurant once the current location was up and running.

Carl’s Jr has a number of restaurants in and around Ipswich, with more than 30 eateries across several states.

The Toowoomba store will be located within the city’s premier fast food district, with the immediate area around the Wilsonton Shopping Centre sporting more than 10 major brands.

Another two, Guzman Y Gomez and Mad Burger, will also be building locations in the area too.

The company was founded in California in 1941 by Carl and Margaret Karcher and now has more than 3100 locations across the world.