In Australia, the Burger King brand is owned by Hungry Jack’s Pty Ltd., a fast food franchise that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Competitive Foods Australia. This means that Hungry Jack’s has the exclusive rights to operate and use the Burger King name and trademarks in Australia.
Hungry Jack’s was established in 1971 by Jack Cowin, an Australian entrepreneur. At that time, Burger King Corporation, the American fast food chain, was expanding internationally and had plans to enter the Australian market. However, due to trademark issues, they were unable to use the Burger King name in Australia as it was already registered by a local takeaway food shop in Adelaide.
Instead of giving up on entering the Australian market, Burger King Corporation entered into a franchise agreement with Jack Cowin’s Hungry Jack’s, allowing them to operate Burger King restaurants under a different name. This is how the Burger King brand became known as Hungry Jack’s in Australia.
Over the years, Hungry Jack’s has grown and now owns and operates over 400 restaurants across the country. The company has also sub-licensed some of its restaurants to franchisees, who operate them under the Hungry Jack’s brand.
The ownership of the Burger King name in Australia has remained with Hungry Jack’s and its parent company, Competitive Foods Australia. This means that any new Burger King restaurants that may be established in Australia would have to be operated by Hungry Jack’s or its sub-licensees.
It is important to note that while Hungry Jack’s is the exclusive owner of the Burger King name in Australia, the menu and branding may differ slightly from Burger King restaurants in other countries. This is because each franchisee has some flexibility in adapting the menu and offerings to suit local tastes and preferences.
Hungry Jack’s Pty Ltd., a subsidiary of Competitive Foods Australia, owns the rights to the Burger King name and operates all Burger King/Hungry Jack’s restaurants in Australia. This ownership arrangement was established through a franchise agreement with Burger King Corporation, allowing Hungry Jack’s to use the Burger King brand in Australia under a different name.