Burger Head, a cherished burger chain in Sydney, has officially ceased operations, closing its doors after nearly seven years in business. This decision was driven by the financial pressures stemming from rapid growth, surging inflation, and increasing interest rates, leading to the closure of its last two restaurant locations in Penrith and Botany on a recent Sunday.
Once boasting a total of four restaurants across various Sydney locations – Penrith, Botany, Casula, and Blacktown – alongside three food trucks, the burger chain had established a notable presence in the region.
Established in 2017, Burger Head made its debut in Penrith, founded by friends Joshua Deluca, Timothy Rosenstrauss, and Richard Borg.
The threesome, all in their early twenties, characterized themselves as “three young individuals with limited life experience but considerable kitchen expertise.”
Nonetheless, the business found itself grappling with insurmountable financial pressure, attributed to the soaring inflation, escalating interest rates, and the swift post-Covid expansion it undertook.
Rosenstrauss and DeLuca took to social media to announce their “heart-wrenching choice” to close the physical outlets of Burger Head.
‘And just like that, all good things must come to an end,’ they wrote on Instagram.
‘The past seven years have been nothing shy of an incredible journey of ups, downs, and everything in between, but unfortunately, we’ve decided to hang up the apron.
‘Although it’s been a sh***y 18 months, we’re still beyond proud of what we’ve accomplished in such a tough industry, in the toughest four years of it ever.’
The proprietors elaborated that “issues began to surface” as they endeavored to expand their business in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic.
Burger Head Sydney Closes Amid Rapid Growth
Within a mere span of 10 weeks in 2022, the duo inaugurated their Blacktown and Casula restaurants.
During that very year, Burger Head additionally launched a production kitchen situated in Wetherill Park.
The burger chain had plans to open a fifth store in Box Hill, but the owners ultimately decided to “withdraw” from the endeavor.
Looking back, Rosenstrauss and DeLuca expressed regret, stating, “If we had chosen to open just one of these stores and retained our existing prep kitchen, we would have had the necessary resources to successfully establish store number three and would still be in business.”
The owners also criticized Philip Lowe, the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, contending that he bore some responsibility for the business’s decline.
‘If you own any property or a business, there’s a good chance you know this fella and if you’re like us you have a voodoo doll of Mr Lowe,’ they said.
‘I feel for the pain that the interest rate rises [have] caused everyone because we’ve certainly felt it.
‘Many households have had to cut back on luxuries, which for many, is a meal out at your favourite burger joint.’
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However, the owners reassured customers they could still get their hands on their famous burgers and fried treats as Burger Head was pivoting to ‘just the trucks’.
‘I want to make it clear that this is not the death of Burger Head but merely a major pivot for us,’ they wrote.
‘Where we’ve been in the restaurant business with food trucks, we’re continuing on with just the trucks.
‘To be honest, we thought we wouldn’t make it past one year in business, so to say we got into our seventh year is f amazing!’
Burger Head made its debut in 2017 and gained significant popularity for its unique burger creations, featuring delights like the renowned Twisties burger.
