Franchising

Wahlburgers signs Australia, New Zealand deal

Actor and Wahlburgers co-founder, Mark Wahlberg, stands in front of United Cinema in Australia. Chairman and Founder Roy Mustaca is the burger joint's latest franchise partner.

January 4, 2021

Wahlburgers, a Boston-based restaurant founded by brothers Mark, Donnie and Chef Paul Wahlberg, is expanding its international footprint with a franchise partnership that will span 20 locations across Australia and New Zealand. The Mustaca family, led by United Cinema's Chairman and Founder, Roy Mustaca, will own and operate each of the venues opening in the two countries, according to a company press release.

As owners of Australia's largest independent family-owned cinema chain, the Mustaca family will launch 15 Wahlburgers in Australia and an additional five in New Zealand over the next five years. Plans for the first Wahlburgers franchise in Australia are underway for a spring 2021 opening.

"Our family is very excited to launch the first of many new restaurants in Australia and New Zealand in partnership with the Mustacas, to bring the Wahlburgers dining experience packed with food, family, and fun to locals and visitors alike," Chef Paul Wahlberg said in the release.

"Over the course of my career I've had the pleasure of filming in Australia and New Zealand and am grateful for the opportunity to now share my family's delicious recipes with the people of these great two countries," Actor Mark Wahlberg said. "With 49 Wahlburgers locations across the USA, two in Toronto Canada and one on the American Ramstein Air Base in Germany, this expansion to Australia and New Zealand is a really exciting step in continuing to build this brand around the world."

Sam Mustaca said he was thrilled to bring Wahlburgers to Australia and New Zealand.

"We had been following the concept for years and with its natural ties to the entertainment industry, bringing Wahlburgers into the experience at United Cinemas just seemed like a perfect fit," he said in the release. "The first Wahlburgers will be in Sydney's CBD and we plan to roll out more as stand-alone restaurants as well as in some of our United Cinema locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and New Zealand. With really great food, beers and a fun atmosphere, we think it's going to be a big hit."

The popular concept founded by the Wahlberg brothers and subject of A&E Network's Emmy-nominated reality show for 10 seasons, features a chef-inspired menu of of delicious burgers along with starters, salads, sandwiches and more.