Another cult-US restaurant chain announces it’s opening in Australia

A well-known American restaurant has confirmed its arrival in Australia after eagle-eyed Aussies spotted it in a popular shopping centre.

There was once a time when Aussies would have to travel at least 10 hours to eat their favourite American food – but not anymore.

In the past few years, a string of classic US food chains have popped up on our shores, including Wingstop, Five Guys and Wendys.

Now Auntie Anne’s, the world’s largest hand-rolled soft pretzel franchise, is making its debut Down Under with the opening of its first store Westfield Parramatta on July 26.

“This has been a dream in the making for years,” Yu-Jin Lee, who along with his business partner Johann Wong has worked with Auntie Anne’s to bring it to Australia, told news.com.au.

“We have always loved pretzels and one of our fondest childhood memories is going to the mall to grab an Auntie Anne’s pretzel.

“It’s a cherished experience for us and we hope to recreate and share that joy in Australia now too.”

The popular chain, which sells an array of sweet and savory pretzels, first opened its doors in Pennsylvania back in 1988 and now has more than 2000 locations around the world – with five new ones planned across Australia in the next 12 months.

Aussie customers can expect the full Auntie Anne’s experience, Yu-Jin Lee said, including signature pretzel varieties such as original, cinnamon sugar, sweet almond, and pepperoni cheese, along with sweet and savoury nugget bites with the dough mixed, hand-rolled and baked on site.

Auntie Anne’s is opening its first store in Australia on July 26. Picture: Instagram/nyc.popup.lover

“Our pretzels are baked continuously throughout the day, so no matter when you stop by, you’re getting them hot, fresh, and at their absolute best.

“There’s a huge appetite for the brand already – we’ve seen the buzz online and the excitement is real.”

Indeed, several eagle-eyed pretzel fans have spotted the new Sydney store before it has even opened, taking to social media to share their joy.

“OMG, I manifested this,” one wrote.

“Legitimately have been waiting years for this, let’s go,” another shared.

As one declared: “If they open in Melbourne I’ll go broke, no joke.”

Melbourne foodie Nectorious Papi said Aussies aren’t getting sick of American restaurants opening Down Under. Picture: Supplied

‘It’s really exciting to see’. Picture: Instagram/nectoriouspapi

But as Auntie Anne’s joins a long line of American fast-food restaurants opening in Australia, are Aussies going to become sick of the once hard-to-get food? Melbourne food blogger @nectoriouspapi doesn’t think so.

“It’s really exciting to see US chains opening in Australia,” he told news.com.au.

“Many of us have heard the hype, or if they’re lucky tried the items on holiday, but to be able to eat these well-known brand’s on our own doorstep means it’s now available to everyone.

“These brand’s are often names we’ve grown up watching in the movies, so it’s a thrill to have the option to buy something we’ve never tried. The big test is really whether or not they stand the test of time.”

The foodie, who hasn’t yet tried any Auntie Anne’s menu items, said his biggest gripe with the cult US chains opening in Australia is that “Sydney always gets it first”.

This was a sentiment echoed on social media, where many Aussies called for a store in their local area.

“Can we get some of these places in Melbourne?” one sighed, as another added: “This was my fave in America, but I don’t live anywhere near Sydney. Boo.”

Originally published as Another cult-US restaurant chain announces it’s opening in Australia