Grill'd

Simon Crowe founded Grill'd in 2004.{{cite news |last1=B |first1=Cameron |title=Simon Crowe, building the Grill'd name |url=https://dynamicbusiness.com/leadership-2/entrepreneur-profile/simon-crowe-building-the-grilld-name.html |access-date=19 January 2025 |publisher=Dynamic Business |date=3 September 2008 |archive-date=12 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240712203606/https://dynamicbusiness.com/leadership-2/entrepreneur-profile/simon-crowe-building-the-grilld-name.html |url-status=live }} Crowe was inspired by the "engaging service ethic" he saw in Milwaukee, United States while working for the brewing company Foster's.{{Cite web|last=Mathieson|first=Craig|date=2016-02-21|title=How the burger became king in Melbourne|url=https://www.goodfood.com.au/eat-out/how-the-burger-became-king-in-melbourne-20160213-gm5ou3|access-date=2022-01-14|website=Good Food|language=en-au|archive-date=14 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114064921/https://www.goodfood.com.au/eat-out/how-the-burger-became-king-in-melbourne-20160213-gm5ou3|url-status=live}} In 2019, Grill'd opened its first international restaurant, in Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia.

Since 2010, all of the company's beef and lamb have been grass-fed and free range, and in 2016 their chicken became RSPCA approved.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-10 |title=It's no secret that Grill'd cares about farm animals {{!}} Latest News {{!}} RSPCA Approved |url=https://rspcaapproved.org.au/2021/06/10/no-secret-grilld-cares-farm-animals |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114064922/https://rspcaapproved.org.au/2021/06/10/no-secret-grilld-cares-farm-animals |archive-date=14 January 2022 |access-date=2022-01-14 |website=RSPCA |language=en-AU}} In November 2021, Grill'd began offering a plant-based option, the Impossible Burger.{{Cite web |last=Boys |first=Callan |date=2021-11-05 |title=Impossible Beef taste test: America's most famous plant-based burger has finally launched in Australia |url=https://www.goodfood.com.au/eat-out/news/impossible-beef-taste-test-americas-most-famous-plantbased-burger-has-finally-launched-in-australia-20211103-h1zkzx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114064927/https://www.goodfood.com.au/eat-out/news/impossible-beef-taste-test-americas-most-famous-plantbased-burger-has-finally-launched-in-australia-20211103-h1zkzx |archive-date=14 January 2022 |access-date=2022-01-14 |website=Good Food |language=en-au}}

In May 2023, Grill'd opened a halal-certified restaurant in Blacktown, New South Wales. The restaurant served meat sourced from halal-certified suppliers, removed bacon from products, and did not serve alcohol.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-30 |title=Grill'd Opens First Halal-Certified Restaurant |url=https://restaurantandcafe.co.nz/grilld-opens-first-halal-certified-restaurant/ |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=Restaurant & Café |language=en-AU |archive-date=29 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929135143/https://restaurantandcafe.co.nz/grilld-opens-first-halal-certified-restaurant/ |url-status=live }} As of May 2024, the Blacktown Grill'd is no longer halal. The company now provides halal meat (excluding bacon) to all franchises without restaurant-level certification.{{Cite web |date=April 2024 |title=Is your meat Halal? |url=https://grilld.zendesk.com/hc/en-au/articles/5217014815887-Is-your-meat-Halal |access-date=26 September 2024 |website=Grill'd |archive-date=25 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925225145/https://grilld.zendesk.com/hc/en-au/articles/5217014815887-Is-your-meat-Halal |url-status=live }}

In June 2023, Grill'd opened its first drive-through restaurant in Mount Ommaney, Queensland.{{Cite web |last=Dong |first=Irene |date=2023-06-28 |title=Grill'd opens its first drive-thru restaurant |url=https://insideretail.com.au/stores/grilld-opens-its-first-drive-thru-restaurant-202306 |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=Inside Retail|language=en-US}} In August 2024, a second drive-through restaurant was opened in Chadstone, Victoria.{{Cite web |last=Kopittke |first=Morganne |date=2024-07-31 |title=Burger chain Grill'd unveils first Victorian drive-thru |url=https://www.smartcompany.com.au/hospitality/burger-chain-grilld-first-victorian-drive-thru-chadstone/ |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=SmartCompany |language=en-AU |archive-date=16 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216152640/https://www.smartcompany.com.au/hospitality/burger-chain-grilld-first-victorian-drive-thru-chadstone/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Grill'd Burgers Chadstone Village - Healthy Burger Restaurant |url=https://grilld.com.au/restaurants/victoria/chadstone-village |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=Grill'd Healthy Burgers |language=en |archive-date=14 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114111613/https://grilld.com.au/restaurants/victoria/chadstone-village |url-status=live }}

In 2011, Grill'd created the Local Matters{{Cite web |title=Local Matters - Local Causes, Big Impact |url=https://grilld.com.au/local-matters |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Grill'd Healthy Burgers |language=en}} program, which supports local community groups through monthly donations.{{Cite web |last=Digital |first=B. C. M. |date=2022-10-04 |title=Grill'd Local Matters supporting The Common Good |url=https://www.thecommongood.org.au/news/grilld-local-matters-supporting-the-common-good/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=The Common Good |language=en-AU |archive-date=22 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122190656/https://www.thecommongood.org.au/news/grilld-local-matters-supporting-the-common-good/ |url-status=live }} Local community groups such as charities, school groups, and sporting teams in each restaurant’s area apply to the store to take part, with three groups being selected monthly. Grill'd customers are given a bottle cap with each purchase, which is placed in a jar corresponding to each group. Whichever group receives the most caps at the end of the month receives $300, and the others receive $100.{{Cite web |title=Local Matters |url=https://grilld.com.au/local-matters |url-status=live |access-date=30 April 2025 |website=Grill'd}}

They also participated in the Polished Man Campaign in 2016, which raises funds for programs aimed at ending violence against children. People who took part in the campaign by polishing a fingernail were able to receive free burgers from the chain during the event.{{Cite web|date=2016-09-29|title=Grill'd Joins Polished Man Campaign, Offers Free Burgers In October|url=https://beat.com.au/grilld-joins-polished-man-campaign-offers-free-burgers-in-october/|access-date=2022-01-13|website=Beat Magazine|language=en-AU|archive-date=14 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114004650/https://beat.com.au/grilld-joins-polished-man-campaign-offers-free-burgers-in-october/|url-status=live}}

The restaurant in Seminyak, Bali, extended the company's Local Matters program internationally, supporting Seminyak's local community groups by sharing Rp2,500,000 with three local groups each month.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}

During the 2019–20 Australian bushfire disaster, Grill'd matched every ace Nick Kyrgios served in the 2020 Australian Open with a $200 donation to bushfire relief, totalling $20,000.{{Cite web|date=2020-01-27|title=Nick Kyrgios Served 100 Aces This Aus Open So There's Another $20,000 To Bushfire Relief|url=https://www.pedestrian.tv/sport/nick-kyrgios-aces-bushfire-relief/|access-date=2022-01-13|website=Pedestrian TV|language=en-US|archive-date=14 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114004650/https://www.pedestrian.tv/sport/nick-kyrgios-aces-bushfire-relief/|url-status=live}} In February 2020, Grill'd donated $2 for every burger a Relish Member bought, and another $2 for every new member signed up, raising a total of $236,302.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}

Since opening in 2004, Grill'd has been serving multiple types of burgers from specialty to sliders as well as also offering a selection of burgers based on a range of dietary requirements.{{Cite web |title=Grill'd Healthy Burgers - Menu |url=https://grilld.com.au/menu |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=Grill'd Healthy Burgers |language=en}}

In 2020, Grill'd launched Healthy Fried Chicken with HFC Bites in a campaign targeted at fast food chain KFC{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}, offering all KFC employees free HFC Bites when they visit a Grill'd store in their uniform. Following this release, in 2021, Grill'd expanded its fried chicken line with HFC Burgers and publicly released its "No Secrets" recipe for their Healthy Fried Chicken.{{Cite web|date=2021-05-12|title=Grill'd Introduces Healthy Fried Chicken Burger And Publicy Releases 'No Secrets' Recipe|url=https://www.bandt.com.au/grilld-introduces-healthy-fried-chicken-burger-and-publicy-releases-no-secrets-recipe/|access-date=2022-01-13|website=B&T|language=en-US|archive-date=15 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115062658/https://www.bandt.com.au/grilld-introduces-healthy-fried-chicken-burger-and-publicy-releases-no-secrets-recipe/|url-status=live}}

On April 15, 2019, Grill'd hosted the "24 Hour Meat Cheat", serving only meat-free options to launch the Beyond Meat Burgers into their menu such as the Vegan burger "Vegan Garden Goodness" or the Vegetarian "Beyond Simply Grill'd". In July 2021, Grill'd, which is in collaboration with the company Fable and British chef Heston Blumenthal, created three new plant-based burgers with patties from mushroom-based protein.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-03|title=Grill'd team up with Heston Blumenthal for new plant-based burgers|url=https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/food/grilld-team-up-with-heston-blumenthal-for-new-fable-plant-based-burgers-c-3580162|access-date=2022-01-14|website=Seven News|language=en|archive-date=14 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114064926/https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/food/grilld-team-up-with-heston-blumenthal-for-new-fable-plant-based-burgers-c-3580162|url-status=live}}

In March 2017, Grill'd launched the "Bunny Burger" with a rabbit patty to celebrate Easter and sold a vegan version of the burger in 2018.{{Cite web|date=2018-03-27|title=Grill'd introduces a limited edition vegan 'bunny' burger|url=https://vegannewscomau.wordpress.com/2018/03/27/grilld-introduces-limited-edition-vegan-bunny-burger/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216130755/https://vegannewscomau.wordpress.com/2018/03/27/grilld-introduces-limited-edition-vegan-bunny-burger/|archive-date=16 December 2024|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-13|website=VeganNews.com.au|language=en-GB}} The 2017 iteration caused controversy on Facebook.{{cite web |url=https://www.adnews.com.au/grilld-bunny-burger |access-date=9 March 2025 |archive-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023035825/https://www.adnews.com.au/grilld-bunny-burger |title=Grill'd cops 'Bunny Burger' backlash |date=13 April 2017 |website=Ad News |url-status=live |first=Lindsay |last=Bennett}}

In April 2021, Grill'd partnered with streaming service Binge to launch season 10 of The Walking Dead with a limited-edition burger available in each state of Australia. The campaign was shortlisted in the Mumbrella CommsCon Awards for Best Use of Owned Media.{{Cite web|last=Wells|first=Darren|date=2021-04-20|title=Mumbrella CommsCon Awards shortlist announced - Thinkerbell receives 10 nominations|url=https://mumbrella.com.au/mumbrella-commscon-awards-shortlist-announced-thinkerbell-receives-10-nominations-678630|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241217025107/https://mumbrella.com.au/mumbrella-commscon-awards-shortlist-announced-thinkerbell-receives-10-nominations-678630|url-status=live|archive-date=17 December 2024|access-date=2022-01-14|website=Mumbrella|language=en-US}}

In July 2023, Grill'd launched a burger with a pink bun alongside the release of the Barbie movie called the "Barbie Dreamburger."{{Cite web |title=Grill'd launches pink Barbie Dreamburger |url=https://www.taste.com.au/food-news/grilld-launches-pink-barbie-dreamburger/ixr2wjrw |website=taste.com.au |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250309083421/https://www.taste.com.au/food-news/grilld-launches-pink-barbie-dreamburger/ixr2wjrw |archive-date=9 March 2025 |access-date=15 May 2024 |date=17 July 2023 |first=Olivia |last=Tanevski}}

In January 2024, Grill'd collaborated with former tennis player Ash Barty, Grill'd stated that they would donate $100 thousand to the Ash Barty Foundation to help young tennis players.{{cite news |work=Mumbrella |title=Ash Barty teams with Grill'd for range of Barty Burgers |first=Nathan |last=Jolly |date=4 January 2024 |url=https://mumbrella.com.au/ash-barty-teams-with-grilld-for-range-of-barty-burgers-811426 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803194631/https://mumbrella.com.au/ash-barty-teams-with-grilld-for-range-of-barty-burgers-811426 |access-date=9 March 2025 |archive-date=3 August 2024}}

In February 2025, Grill'd launched a burger co-designed with Formula One driver Oscar Piastri.{{cite news |work=Mumbrella|url-status=live |access-date=9 March 2025 |archive-date=9 March 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250309080345/https://mumbrella.com.au/grilld-hops-into-the-passenger-seat-with-oscar-piastri-partnership-864827 |url=https://mumbrella.com.au/grilld-hops-into-the-passenger-seat-with-oscar-piastri-partnership-864827 |date=18 February 2025 |first=Matthew |last=Leong |title=Grill'd hops into the passenger seat with Oscar Piastri partnership}}

Partnerships & sponsorships

Grill'd has partnered with the Melbourne Storm NRL club since 2020.{{Cite web|date=2020-03-10|title=Storm, Grill'd announce new partnership|url=https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/2020/03/10/storm-grilld-announce-new-partnership/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216154459/https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/2020/03/10/storm-grilld-announce-new-partnership/|archive-date=16 December 2024 |access-date=2022-01-14|website=Melbourne Storm|language=en}} In commemoration of the partnership, Grill'd created a "Storm Burger" in 2021.{{Cite web |date=2021-04-12 |title=Grill'd cooks up a footy storm |url=https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/2021/04/13/grilld-cooks-up-a-footy-storm/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216154459/https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/2020/03/10/storm-grilld-announce-new-partnership/ |url-status=live |archive-date=16 December 2024 |access-date=2022-01-14 |website=Melbourne Storm |language=en}} During the 2023 finals season, Grill'd released another iteration of the "Storm Burger" with a purple bun and a limited-time free offer at one of their Melbourne stores.{{cite news |work=Mumbrella |url=https://mumbrella.com.au/grilld-launches-free-purple-burger-to-celebrate-melbourne-storms-finals-berth-799343 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928142352/https://mumbrella.com.au/grilld-launches-free-purple-burger-to-celebrate-melbourne-storms-finals-berth-799343 |archive-date=28 September 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=9 March 2025 |date=5 September 2023 |first=Nathan |last=Jolly |title=Grill'd launches free purple burger to celebrate Melbourne Storm's finals berth}}

Grill'd has been a partner of the Melbourne Boomers since the 2020 season. Boomers General Manager, Christy Collier-Hill said "we're so excited to welcome Grill'd as a team sponsor for WNBL Season 2020 and we are looking forward to a very healthy, long-term partnership.”{{Cite news|date=2020-11-12|title=Announcing our new Healthy Eating Partner |language=en-US|work=Melbourne Boomers|url=https://wnbl.basketball/melbourne/news/announcing-our-new-healthy-eating-partner/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216132746/https://melbourneboomers.com.au/news/announcing-our-new-healthy-eating-partner/|archive-date=16 December 2024 |access-date=2022-01-14}}

In 2022, Grill'd announced a four-year sponsorship of the Australian Institute of Sport. The 2022 Winter Olympics gold-medalist Jakara Anthony was chosen to be a Grill'd ambassador for this sponsorship of the AIS.{{Cite press release |title=AIS Announces Sponsorship with Grill'd |date=28 March 2022 |url=https://www.ais.gov.au/media-centre/news/the-australian-institute-of-sport-announces-sponsorship-with-grilld |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315043051/https://www.ais.gov.au/media-centre/news/the-australian-institute-of-sport-announces-sponsorship-with-grilld |archive-date=15 March 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=Australian Sports Commission |language=English}}

In April 2024, Grill'd announced a partnership with Australian Commonwealth Games gold-medalist Harry Garside.{{cite news |work=Mumbrella |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419033533/https://mumbrella.com.au/grilld-strengthens-its-stance-with-harry-garside-partnership-825080 |url=https://mumbrella.com.au/grilld-strengthens-its-stance-with-harry-garside-partnership-825080 |access-date=9 March 2025 |archive-date=19 April 2024 |url-status=live |date=19 April 2024 |first=Matthew |last=Leong |title=Grill'd strengthens its stance with Harry Garside partnership}}

In January 2025, AFL team Melbourne Demons announced Grill'd as a new major partner.https://grilld.com.au/partners/melbourne-football-clubhttps://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1710068/dees-team-up-with-grilld

In 2021, Grill'd partnered with not-for-profit environmental organisation Greenfleet as part of the company's Tree Day Tuesday initiative.{{Cite web|title=Grill'd partners with non-profit Greenfleet for 'Tree Day Tuesdays' initiative|url=https://qsrmedia.com.au/community/news/grilld-partners-non-profit-greenfleet-%25E2%2580%2598tree-day-tuesdays-initiative|access-date=2022-01-13|website=QSR Media Australia|language=en|archive-date=14 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114004650/https://qsrmedia.com.au/community/news/grilld-partners-non-profit-greenfleet-%25E2%2580%2598tree-day-tuesdays-initiative|url-status=live}}

Grill'd was named one of Australia's top 10 brands in the 2021 Forces of Good Report, and the number one brand in the food category for Corporate Social Responsibility which analysed 190 brands.{{Cite news|last=Moran|first=Jonathon|date=2021-07-19|title=Australia's best and worst brands revealed|work=Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/australias-best-and-worst-companies-revealed/news-story/6cb4225d7930b928b08b388742269c42|access-date=2022-01-13|archive-date=15 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115125454/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/australias-best-and-worst-companies-revealed/news-story/6cb4225d7930b928b08b388742269c42|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Forces of Good - A Study · The Lab|url=https://thelabstrategy.com/insights/forces-of-good-a-study|access-date=2022-01-13|website=thelabstrategy.com|archive-date=14 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114004701/https://thelabstrategy.com/insights/forces-of-good-a-study}}

Grill'd has reportedly recycled over 660,000 litres of cooking oil to create biodiesel and has converted 62 of its restaurants to green power.{{Cite web|last=Macdonald|first=Anna|date=2021-09-26|title=Grill'd aims fast food clowns in first campaign via The Monkeys|url=https://mumbrella.com.au/grilld-takes-aim-at-fast-food-clowns-in-first-campaign-via-the-monkeys-705175|access-date=2022-01-13|website=Mumbrella|language=en-US|archive-date=14 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114004659/https://mumbrella.com.au/grilld-takes-aim-at-fast-food-clowns-in-first-campaign-via-the-monkeys-705175|url-status=live}}

In June 2015, a franchise in Toowong selected Cherish Life to receive funds from the Local Matters program. Founder Simon Crowe apologised for the alleged mistake, stating that Grill'd is pro-choice.{{cite news |last1=Agius |first1=Kym |date=10 June 2015 |title=Grill'd burger chain apologises for Brisbane store's support of anti-abortion group Cherish Life |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-10/grilld-apologises-for-supporting-anti-abortion-group/6536332 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211085800/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-10/grilld-apologises-for-supporting-anti-abortion-group/6536332 |archive-date=11 February 2025 |access-date=19 July 2016 |work=ABC News |location=Australia}}

Grill'd has faced criticism for its labour practices and wage disputes, including allegations of underpaying staff and misusing government apprenticeship programs.

In July 2015, allegations arose that Kahlani Pyrah, a former employee of a franchise in Camberwell, had been removed from her position after beginning a wage case with the Fair Work Commission for being paid below minimum wage. Grill'd officially denied the allegations, claiming that her bullying of managers was the reason for the dismissal.{{cite web |url-status=live |date=22 July 2015 |title=Burger chain Grill'd to change pay rates after backlash over worker's sacking |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jul/23/burger-chain-grilld-to-change-pay-rates-after-backlash-over-workers-sacking |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305044849/http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jul/23/burger-chain-grilld-to-change-pay-rates-after-backlash-over-workers-sacking |archive-date=5 March 2016 |access-date=25 July 2015 |work=The Guardian |agency=Australian Associated Press}} Pyrah launched a Federal Court case in a bid to get her job back.{{cite web |last=Toscano |first=Nick |date=20 July 2015 |title=Sacked Grill'd worker takes claims to court |url=http://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace-relations/sacked-grilld-worker-takes-claims-to-court-20150720-gigcq2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822235607/http://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace-relations/sacked-grilld-worker-takes-claims-to-court-20150720-gigcq2.html |archive-date=22 August 2015 |access-date=21 July 2015 |publisher=Fairfax Media |newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald}} An interim Federal Court ruling ordered Grill'd to reinstate her, allowing the wage case hearing to go ahead.{{cite web |last=Toscano |first=Nick |date=27 July 2015 |title=Sacked Grill'd employee Kahlani Pyrah reinstated, paving way for wage case |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/sacked-grilld-employee-kahlani-pyrah-reinstated-paving-way-for-wage-case-20150727-gil4gq.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218165814/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/sacked-grilld-employee-kahlani-pyrah-reinstated-paving-way-for-wage-case-20150727-gil4gq.html |archive-date=18 December 2015 |access-date=27 July 2015 |publisher=Fairfax Media |newspaper=The Age}} At the hearing, the Fair Work Commission forced the Grill'd Camberwell franchise to raise employee pay to the minimum wage. Jess Walsh of the hospitality union United Voice said that the ruling was an "enormous win" for Pyrah and Grill'd employees.{{cite web |last=Toscano |first=Nick |date=30 July 2015 |title=Ruling forces Grill'd store to increase wages |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/ruling-forces-grilld-store-to-increase-wages-20150730-ginn8q.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802014240/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/ruling-forces-grilld-store-to-increase-wages-20150730-ginn8q.html |archive-date=2 August 2015 |access-date=31 July 2015 |publisher=Fairfax Media |newspaper=The Age}} A planned dismissal hearing at the Federal Court was called off after Pyrah and Grill'd reached an out-of-court settlement.{{cite web |last=Toscano |first=Nick |date=27 August 2015 |title=Sacked Grill'd worker Kahlani Pyrah receives payout from burger company |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/sacked-grilld-worker-kahlani-pyrah-receives-payout-from-burger-company-20150826-gj8pbb.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022043616/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/sacked-grilld-worker-kahlani-pyrah-receives-payout-from-burger-company-20150826-gj8pbb.html |archive-date=22 October 2015 |access-date=27 August 2015 |publisher=Fairfax Media |newspaper=The Age}}

In 2019, it was discovered that Grill'd was underpaying employees by exploiting traineeship loopholes, siphoning millions in wages each year.{{cite news |last1=Hennessy |first1=James |date=9 December 2019 |title=Here are the 5 key learnings from the juicy investigation into popular burger chain Grill'd |website=Business Insider Australia |url=https://www.businessinsider.com.au/grilld-investigation-5-key-learnings-2019-12 |access-date=1 January 2020 |archive-date=1 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101060643/https://www.businessinsider.com.au/grilld-investigation-5-key-learnings-2019-12 }}{{cite news |last1=McGinn |first1=Christine |date=7 December 2019 |title=Grill'd burgers employee says he was subjected to rock-bottom wages and dodgy traineeship |website=Seven News |url=https://7news.com.au/business/grilld-burgers-employee-says-he-was-subjected-to-rock-bottom-wages-and-dodgy-traineeship--c-593842 |access-date=1 January 2020 |archive-date=1 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101061414/https://7news.com.au/business/grilld-burgers-employee-says-he-was-subjected-to-rock-bottom-wages-and-dodgy-traineeship--c-593842 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Jez From |first1=STS |date=7 December 2019 |title=Burger chain Grill'd accused of keeping workers in low-paid roles |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6113888177001 |access-date=1 January 2020 |website=sky news .com.au |archive-date=1 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101062851/https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6113888177001 |url-status=live }} The coverage also included allegations of serious food safety concerns at 1-in-10 company-owned Grill'd restaurants, franchises being mistreated by the company, and founder Simon Crowe falsifying signatures of his business partner on two liquor licenses.{{cite web | last=Ferguson | first=Adele | title=Grill'd co-founder Simon Crowe forged business partner Simon McNamara's details on liquor licence applications | website=Sydney Morning Herald | date=2019-12-08 | url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/grill-d-co-founder-forged-details-on-liquor-licence-applications-20191208-p53hxz.html | access-date=2025-01-31 | archive-date=19 June 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619225823/https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/grill-d-co-founder-forged-details-on-liquor-licence-applications-20191208-p53hxz.html | url-status=live }}

In 2022, it was revealed that Grill'd used $16.6 million (granted by the Australian Government's COVID-19 apprenticeship program) to make 2,800 employees a part of their "hamburger university" traineeship program, which they had used to underpay workers.{{cite web |last1=Mizen |first1=Ronald |title=Grill'd billed taxpayers $16.6m for 'hamburger university' |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/grill-d-billed-taxpayers-16-6m-for-hamburger-university-20220706-p5azj0 |website=Australian Financial Review|publisher=9 Entertainment |access-date=14 February 2024 |language=en |date=8 July 2022 |archive-date=14 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214004851/https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/grill-d-billed-taxpayers-16-6m-for-hamburger-university-20220706-p5azj0 |url-status=live }} In October 2024, United Workers Union members and employees of a Grill'd location in Melbourne went on strike, claiming that Grill'd was forcing staff into their "hamburger university" traineeship program in order to pay decreased wages to trainees.{{Cite web |last=Katanasho |first=Gabrielle |date=October 19, 2024 |title=Grill'd faces Australia's 'first-ever' fast food strike over low-pay, 'unfair' conditions claims |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/grilld-hit-with-australias-first-ever-fast-food-strike/zw3tlraqe |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=SBS News |language=en |archive-date=18 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241118173632/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/grilld-hit-with-australias-first-ever-fast-food-strike/zw3tlraqe |url-status=live }}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|grild.com.au}}

{{Food chains in Australia}}

Category:Companies based in Melbourne

Category:Fast-food franchises

Category:Fast-food chains of Australia

Category:Fast-food hamburger restaurants

Category:Restaurants established in 2004

Category:2004 establishments in Australia