Have you ever been to Australia and wondered why Burger King is called Hungry Jack’s down under? Well, it turns out that there is an interesting story behind this name change.
When Burger King first tried to expand to Australia in the 1970s, they found out that their name was already trademarked by a local business. To avoid legal battles, they decided to partner with a local franchisee who already had a chain of fast-food restaurants named “Hungry Jack’s.” The partnership was successful, and now Burger King is known as Hungry Jack’s in Australia. But there’s more to the story than just a simple name change, so keep reading to find out.
Burger King is called Hungry Jack’s in Australia due to trademark issues. When Burger King first tried to expand into Australia in the 1970s, they found that the name was already trademarked by a local food chain. As a result, they partnered with a local franchisee and created the name Hungry Jack’s, which was inspired by a pancake mix that the franchisee owned. Today, Hungry Jack’s is the second-largest burger chain in Australia.
Why Is Burger King Called Hungry Jacks In Australia?
Burger King is a well-known fast-food chain all over the world, but did you know that in Australia, it goes by a different name? In the land Down Under, Burger King is called Hungry Jack’s. This may seem odd to those who are familiar with the original name, but there is a reason behind this change. In this article, we will explore the history and reasons behind why Burger King is called Hungry Jack’s in Australia.
History Behind the Name Change
The story behind the name change dates back to 1971 when Burger King was looking to expand its brand to Australia. However, at that time, there was already a small takeaway food shop in Adelaide called Burger King. This meant that the company could not use its original name in Australia due to trademark issues. As a result, the Australian franchisee, Jack Cowin, decided to change the name to Hungry Jack’s, which he had already trademarked.
Despite the name change, the menu and overall concept of Hungry Jack’s remained the same as Burger King. However, it wasn’t until 1997 that Burger King acquired the Australian franchise and was able to change the name to Burger King. Yet, for some reason, the name Hungry Jack’s stuck around and is still used today.
Menu Differences
Despite sharing the same menu as Burger King, there are some differences in the food offerings at Hungry Jack’s. For example, the Whopper in Australia is made with beetroot, which is not a common addition to burgers in other countries. Additionally, the menu also includes some Australian-specific items such as the Aussie Burger, which contains a beef patty, bacon, egg, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and beetroot.
Another difference is the size of the meals. In Australia, the sizes of the meals are generally smaller than those in the United States. This is due to the Australian government’s regulations on portion sizes and the fast-food industry’s commitment to providing healthier options.
Benefits of the Name Change
The name change to Hungry Jack’s in Australia proved to be a wise decision for the franchisee. By trademarking the name before Burger King expanded to Australia, Jack Cowin was able to secure the rights to a popular fast-food chain in the country. Additionally, the name Hungry Jack’s has become synonymous with the brand in Australia, creating a unique identity for the franchise.
Furthermore, the name change allowed for more flexibility in marketing and advertising campaigns. The company could create ads that were specifically tailored to the Australian market without being tied down to the Burger King brand name. This allowed for a more localized approach to advertising, which resonated with Australian consumers.
Hungry Jack’s vs. Burger King
Despite the name change, there are no major differences between Hungry Jack’s and Burger King. Both chains offer the same menu items, with only slight variations in some of the ingredients. However, the name change has allowed for a unique identity for the franchise in Australia, which has helped it to become one of the largest fast-food chains in the country.
In conclusion, the name change from Burger King to Hungry Jack’s in Australia was due to trademark issues that arose when the franchise was first introduced in the country. Despite the name change, the menu and overall concept remained the same, and the name has become synonymous with the brand in Australia. Overall, the name change proved to be a wise decision for the franchisee, allowing for a more localized approach to marketing and advertising campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about why Burger King is called Hungry Jacks in Australia.
1. Why is Burger King called Hungry Jacks in Australia?
In 1971, Burger King Corporation attempted to franchise its brand in Australia, but there was already a small fast food chain in Adelaide, South Australia called “Burger King”. Burger King Corporation decided to use the name “Hungry Jack’s” instead, which was already a trademarked name in Australia.
The name “Hungry Jack’s” was originally used by a Perth-based businessman named Jack Cowin, who opened the first Australian franchise of Burger King in Perth in 1971. Cowin had already established a business called “Hungry Jack’s Pty Ltd” in Australia, and he was able to negotiate the use of the name with Burger King Corporation.
2. Is the food at Hungry Jack’s the same as Burger King?
Yes, the food at Hungry Jack’s is the same as Burger King. The menu includes the Whopper, the Big Mac, fries, and other popular fast food items. Despite the different name, the branding and menu items are very similar to Burger King in other countries.
However, there are some minor differences in the menu between Hungry Jack’s and Burger King. For example, Hungry Jack’s offers a Veggie Whopper that is not available at Burger King in other countries. Additionally, the sizes of some menu items may be slightly different.
3. Are there any Burger King restaurants in Australia?
No, there are no Burger King restaurants in Australia. The Burger King Corporation attempted to franchise its brand in Australia in the early 1970s, but was unable to use the Burger King name due to trademark issues. Instead, the company uses the name “Hungry Jack’s” in Australia.
Despite this, some Australian consumers may still refer to Hungry Jack’s as “Burger King” due to the similarity in branding and menu items.
4. Why does the logo for Hungry Jack’s look different than Burger King?
The logo for Hungry Jack’s looks different than Burger King because it was designed specifically for the Australian market. The original Burger King logo features a round bun with a burger patty and toppings, while the Hungry Jack’s logo features a rectangular bun with the letters “HJ” on top.
The logo change was made when the name change was implemented in Australia, as part of a rebranding effort to create a distinct identity for the Australian market. However, the branding and logo for Hungry Jack’s still retains many similarities to Burger King in other countries.
5. Is Hungry Jack’s only in Australia?
Yes, Hungry Jack’s is only located in Australia. The name “Hungry Jack’s” is a registered trademark in Australia, and is owned by Competitive Foods Australia, which operates the franchise. There are currently over 400 Hungry Jack’s locations across Australia.
While Burger King Corporation does not operate any restaurants in Australia, there are over 17,000 Burger King locations in over 100 countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, and many countries in Europe and Asia.
In conclusion, the story of why Burger King is called Hungry Jack’s in Australia is quite interesting. It all began when Burger King attempted to expand its brand into Australia in the late 1960s. However, they soon realized that the name Burger King was already trademarked in Australia, so they had to come up with a new name.
That’s when they met a man named Jack Cowin, who had already established a successful fast-food chain in Australia called “Hungry Jack’s.” Burger King decided to enter into a franchise agreement with Cowin and use the name “Hungry Jack’s” in Australia instead of “Burger King.”
Despite the name change, the menu and branding of Hungry Jack’s in Australia are almost identical to that of Burger King in the United States. So, the next time you’re in Australia and see a Hungry Jack’s, you can rest assured that you’ll still be able to enjoy the same flame-grilled burgers and crispy fries that you know and love from Burger King.
