Bold claim: Sizzler is making a comeback in Australia, reviving a beloved chain after a six-year absence. And yes, this return is tied to a major hotel group’s first moves back into casual dining.
Sizzler is returning to Australia six years after doors closed here. The Minor Hotel group plans to open the all-you-can-eat concept at its upcoming NH Collection Hotel at Sydney Airport, with other locations expected in the months ahead.
Minor’s founder and chairman, Bill Heinecke, confirmed the news and hinted at a broader national rollout. He noted ongoing Australian projects, including the 90-room NH Collection hotel at 102-106 Robey Street in Mascot and an Avani property in Wollongong, along with possible branded residences. Sizzler could operate inside hotels or as standalone sites, depending on opportunities.
Sizzler’s origins trace back to Culver City, California, where Del and Helen Johnson opened the chain in 1958. The brand quickly won fans by offering a steak meal for just $0.99, delivering value without compromising quality.
Sizzler remains iconic, and its return is framed as a reimagined iteration of the classic menu. Chris Perkins, current Sizzler president, explained that the brand’s strategy historically targeted the momentum created by fast-food front-runners like McDonald’s and In-N-Out. The idea was to offer a middle ground: counter service with food delivered to the table, creating a fast-casual model that kept prices accessible.
In Perkins’ words, Del Johnson understood that diners wanted choices: a McDonald’s-style burger, a traditional diner, or a full-service option. The mid-price, quick-service format became the “godfather” of modern fast-casual dining, helping keep prices low while maintaining value.
Sizzler first entered Australia in 1985 with a Brisbane location in Annerley. By 1992, the chain had grown to 74 sites nationwide, reaching peak popularity as fast-food giants expanded. Sizzler carved out a niche with a strong service-value-quality balance, reflecting a 1990s consumer preference for more for less.
However, the early 2010s brought difficulties: underperforming stores closed, and by 2017 there were only 17 locations left, mainly in Queensland. The Australian outposts finally closed in November 2020 when the pandemic disrupted operations. Today, those former sites have been repurposed as daycare centers, libraries, warehouses, or sit vacant.
There was a small glimmer of Sizzler activity in 2024: Brisbane radio hosts Robin Bailey and Kip Wightman hosted a one-night Sizzler pop-up at the Coffee Club on Charlotte Street.
– Additional reporting by Lydia Kellner
