Whilst initial plans for Five Guys were to open the first store in the CBD, due to COVID, Seagrass and Five Guys have embraced a new strategy. The strategy required major suburban hubs be included during the site selection process, in addition to the CBD.
Mr Matthew Leavey, Head of Property for Panthers Group, said: “Panthers is over the moon to partner with Seagrass to bring the first Five Guys to Australia. After a competitive process, we decided that aligning with a strong hospitality leader like Seagrass BHG to be able to introduce an iconic international brand like Five Guys to Penrith was in the best interest of our members and community”.
After six months of consideration and research into the vibrant region, Five Guys and Seagrass BHG concluded that Penrith is a dynamic Western hub with growth in the health, education and logistics sectors that demonstrates the future potential of the area and footfall.
Tim Andrews, Retail Director Stonebridge Property Group has represented Seagrass in identifying and progressing sites, said: “Both the Panthers Group and Seagrass have tremendous confidence that Penrith and Panthers will be an outstanding Five Guys location”.
The restaurant will be adjacent to the first Krispy Kreme store in Australia, next door to the Panthers League Club and in between KFC and McDonalds, stretching along Mulgoa road, one of the busiest roads in Western Sydney, pulling in over 40,000 vehicles a day.
Robby Andronikos, Five Guys Brand Operations Manager said: “This exciting new restaurant will bring with it fantastic job opportunities in coming weeks for experienced restaurant managers and leaders. As well as high energy hospitality individuals looking to start a career with an expanding business that puts their people first”.
The location is an impressive high visibility free-standing site facing Mulgoa Rd.
Several additional sites are also under consideration. Seagrass will continue to pursue premium locations in the CBD with high visibility, foot traffic, and the core corridor from Circular Quay, to Darling Harbour and Broadway.
The build of the store will start soon. Five Guys will make a splash in mid-year of 2021 when the restaurant is scheduled to open.