A cult Aussie burger chain is grilling up for a massive expansion across the country after signing a major franchise deal.
Milky Lane, valued at $100 million, will make its highly anticipated Melbourne debut in 2027 with a flagship Southbank venue alongside a rollout into Geelong and suburban locations.
The brand, famous for its hip-hop-themed dining and viral menu items, is preparing to launch 26 new venues throughout Australia in the coming years following its Queensland rollout.
“So many people ask us all the time, ‘Why have you not done Melbourne? Like, it doesn’t make any sense,’” Christian Avant, co-founder of Milky Lane, told News Corp Australia.
“I kind of feel like Melbourne has the highest quality and level of food and beverage in Australia, and I wanted to make sure that we were perfect before we got there.
“There’s such high expectations of Milky Lane because of our social media and everything that we do.
“I was always just kind of worried that I didn’t necessarily have the team to roll this out of Melbourne the way that I wanted to.
“For us, it was just all about timing. Our fanbase there is absolutely enormous and I can’t wait to get there.”
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Milky Lane will make its highly anticipated Melbourne debut in 2027. Picture: Supplied
Milky Lane owners Christian Avant and Shane Fitzgerald. Picture: Supplied
The upcoming Southbank flagship is projected to employ between 60 and 70 local staff, with intense initial training mapped out to handle the chain’s fast-paced environment.
Unlike typical grab-and-go burger joints, the cult restaurant is built around an “all-out night out” experience, blending nostalgic 2000s hip-hop and R&B DJs with an extensive, highly Instagrammable cocktail menu.
The move comes after Milky Lane signed a national master franchise deal with Royale Hospitality to drive the brand’s upcoming expansion.
In the last few years, the business has had a few locations closed in Parramatta, Cairns, Bendigo and Karratha.
Mr Avant said the company has refined their venue portfolio to strengthen Milky Lane’s model ahead of a significant expansion phase.
“As a next step, we signed a national master franchise agreement with Royale Hospitality, who will lead Milky Lane’s expansion across Australia, overseeing site selection, development strategy, and operational execution,” he said.
“The partnership will focus on securing high-quality franchisees and prime locations to support the brand’s continued growth and strengthen its national presence.”
The brand is famous for its viral menu items. Picture: Supplied
Milky Lane’s signature dessert, Deep Fried Golden Gaytime. Picture: Supplied
Milky Lane currently has venues in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Canberra, Adelaide, and Perth.
Mr Avant said previous interstate venue rollouts generate between 5,000 – 10,000 online bookings within the first few months of opening.
“I think there’s going to be a big scene when we open our first store there,” he said.
“The plan for Melbourne is to open with a huge flagship, all the bells and whistles, everything that people have been waiting for.”
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