Sizzler, the family steak houses of the 1990s where mum and dad could get a drink and salads were all you can eat, has finally died.
The chain has been shrinking for years, the outing seen as daggy, the steaks losing their sizzle.
The fallout from the pandemic finally closed the last nine restaurants: Queensland at Mermaid Beach, Loganholme, Toowoomba, Maroochydore and Caboolture; in Western Australia in Innaloo, Kelmscott and Morley; and in New South Wales in Campbelltown.
CEO Drew O’Malley says it was a difficult decision for Collins Foods, a KFC and Taco Bell franchisee, because it affected 600 employees.
“As a casual dining concept, Sizzler has been the brand in our portfolio most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he says.
“The ongoing impact of COVID-19 on revenues has meant that, unfortunately, these restaurants have not established a clear path to profitability in the foreseeable future.
“Closing restaurants is not something we do often and not a decision we take lightly, especially for a brand as beloved as Sizzler which has been such an important part of the Collins Foods’ history.”
Sizzler tried takeaway and home delivery in Australia in response to dine-in restrictions of COVID-19 but it wasn’t enough.
The restaurants have been in decline for years. The pandemic accelerated the fall.
In the year to June, same store sales at Sizzler Australia fell 5.6%. Overall Sizzler revenue was down 17.9% to $38.3 million.
Last month Sizzler US, which is unrelated to Collins Foods, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection blaming the coronavirus.
But if you’re still keen on visiting a Sizzler, there are still a few in Asia with 67 restaurants operating in Thailand and Japan. Collins Foods is the franchisor.
The first Sizzler opened in California in 1958, aiming for the feel of a full-service restaurant at prices just above a fast food chain. The restaurants arrived in Australia in the 1980s.
An early commercial:
The closure was announced on facebook:
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that after 35 years it is time to say goodbye.
The difficult decision has been made to close all remaining Sizzler Australia restaurants this November.
We are so very grateful to our dedicated staff and we want to thank each and every one of our customers for supporting us and creating and sharing memories at Sizzler over the past 35 years.
Our restaurants will remain open until the last day of trade on 15 November 2020, so there is still time to enjoy all your grill and Salad Bar favourites.
Bookings are required in QLD & NSW, so please remember to call ahead to ensure you don’t miss out.
We hope to see you all for one last slice of Cheese Toast.
In the year to June, Collins Foods reported revenue of $981.7 million, up 8.9%.
The company operates 240 franchised KFC restaurants in Australia, 17 franchised KFC restaurants in Germany, 23 franchised KFC restaurants in the Netherlands and 12 franchised Taco Bell restaurants in Australia.
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