Burger Head: Popular Sydney burger joint shuts down all its restaurants
A cult-favorite Sydney burger chain has officially closed its doors after financial stress caused by rapid growth, rising inflation and rising interest rates.
After almost seven years in business, Burger Head closed its remaining two restaurant locations in Penrith and Botany on Sunday.
The burger chain once had four restaurants in Sydney – in Penrith, Botany, Casula and Blacktown – and three food trucks.
Burger Head was first opened in Penrith in 2017 by friends Joshua Deluca, Timothy Rosenstrauss and Richard Borg.
The trio, all in their early 20s, described themselves as “three young guys with not much life experience, but some kitchen experience.”
After almost seven years in business, Burger Head closed its remaining two restaurant locations in Penrith and Botany
Burger Head was first opened in Penrith in 2017 by friends Joshua Deluca (left), Timothy Rosenstrauss (right) and Richard Borg
However, due to rising inflation, rising interest rates and rapid expansion following the Covid-19 crisis, the company was hit by financial strains from which it was unable to recover.
Rosenstrauss and DeLuca shared on social media their “devastating decision” to close Burger Head’s physical stores.
“And just like that, all good things must come to an end,” they wrote on Instagram.
‘Over the past seven years we have been through an incredible journey full of ups, downs and everything in between, but unfortunately we have decided to hang up the apron.
“Although it’s only been 18 months, we’re still beyond proud of what we’ve achieved in such a tough industry, in the toughest four years ever.”
The owners explained that “things started to fall apart” as they tried to expand their business following the Covid pandemic.
The pair opened their Blacktown and Casula restaurants within 10 weeks of each other in 2022.
In the same year, Burger Head also opened a production kitchen in Wetherill Park.
The burger chain had also opened a fifth store in Box Hill; however, the owners ‘withdrew’.
“In retrospect, if we had done just one of these stores and kept our existing prep kitchen, we would have had the resources to really execute store number three and we would still be in business,” Rosenstrauss and DeLuca wrote.
The owners also criticized former Reserve Bank of Australia governor Philip Lowe, saying he was partly responsible for the company’s demise.
“If you own a property or a business, chances are you know this guy and if you’re like us, you have a Mr. Lowe’s voodoo doll,” they said.
‘I sympathize with the pain that interest rate rises have caused everyone, because we certainly felt it.
‘Many households have had to cut back on luxury, which for many is a meal out at your favorite burger joint.’
Burger Head launched in 2017 and became very popular for its burger recipes, with delicacies such as the Twisties burger
Customers were reassured they could still get their hands on Burger Head’s famous burgers and fried treats as the company will focus on ‘trucks only’ (pictured)
However, the owners assured customers they could still get their hands on their famous burgers and fried treats, while Burger Head focused on ‘the trucks only’.
“I want to make it clear that this is not the death of Burger Head, just an important pivot for us,” they wrote.
‘Where we were in the restaurant world with food trucks, we are now continuing with just the trucks.
“To be honest, we didn’t think we’d make it past a year in business, so to say we’re in our seventh year is bloody amazing!”
Burger Head launched in 2017 and became very popular for its burger recipes, with treats such as the Twisties burger.