BurgerFuel

Chris Mason opened the first BurgerFuel in Ponsonby, Auckland, in October 1995, with a loud, irreverent style and burgers built on New Zealand ingredients. It grew into the country’s best-known home-grown burger chain and went public in 2007.

Kiwi burgers have their own traditions, and BurgerFuel leans into them: beetroot and pineapple on beef, aioli instead of mayo, wholemeal buns and cheeky names. An attempt to crack the United States with a store in Indianapolis did not last, but at home it remains a fixture of late nights and road trips.

Around 60 stores across New Zealand, plus a few in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

• Ribs & Burgers (Australia, since 2011). An Australian grillhouse chain started by butchers: flame-grilled burgers, Wagyu doubles and racks of slow-cooked ribs. Also built on beef, bacon, pineapple and cheese.
• Grill'd (Australia, since 2004). Australia’s “healthy burger” chain, where your change goes to a local cause. Also built on beef, bacon and cheese.
• Lord of the Fries (Australia, since 2004). A Melbourne chip van that became Australia’s all-vegan burger chain. Also built on beef, pineapple and cheese.
• Burger Urge (Australia, since 2007). Brisbane’s gourmet burger chain, as famous for its provocative marketing as its burgers. Also built on beef, pineapple and cheese.