The Chain Restaurants You'll Be Proud To Eat At

The phrase "chain restaurant" used to strike revulsion into the hearts of card carrying foodies. But these days, it's not just Maccas and old mate Jack chaining it across the country. Gourmet success stories are expanding into nationwide empires. We take a look at a few of the new kids on the chain restaurant block.

Messina

When it comes to gelato, one brand leaves the others for dust. Founded by creative mastermind Nick Palumbo, Messina fuses the artisan craft of Sicilian gelato-making with a kooky flair for unusual flavours with fun themes. In addition to its extremely comprehensive range of traditional flavours, including sorbets, there are daily specials, with punilicious names worth queuing down the block for.

Sake

Those in search of swanky evening (with an affordable price tag) need look no further than this top shelf contemporary Japanese eatery. The chain went through a shaky patch a couple years back after founding restaurateur John Szangolies hit financial troubles, but after being bought out by private equity group Quadrant, Sake has gone on to thrive, with branches in Brissie, Melbs and Syd.

Beach Burrito Company

This family owned business has gone from one small joint on the Bondi beachfront to a Mexican food empire with 14 restaurants. Each outlet has its own style - that's just the vibe of its skating, snowboarding, globetrotting founder, Blake Reed. You'll find all the usual fare of a well-heeled Mexican restaurant, from tacos, quesadillas, and of course, burritos, made with top-notch local produce, and washed down with a Mexican beer or frozen margarita.

Huxtaburger

If there's one thing the three burger maestros behind this Melbourne institution, Dante Ruaini, Jeff Wong and Daniel Wilson, know, it's how turn ground beef into a mouthful so juicy and delicious it's allowed them to grow from one humble joint in Collingwood into a six-store franchise. Using only grass-fed Wagyu and fresh-baked brioche buns, this is fast food, gourmet style.