Hog's Breath Cafe
Corporate brand
UnclaimedAustralian casual-dining steakhouse chain known for slow-roasted prime rib.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Hog's Breath Cafe is an Australian casual-dining restaurant brand and franchise network centered on steakhouse food, particularly a signature prime-rib dish slow-roasted for approximately 18 hours. The first restaurant opened at Airlie Beach, Queensland, in July 1989 under the direction of founder Don Algie. A second location followed at Mooloolaba in November 1990, after which the concept expanded through Queensland and into other Australian territories and states, including Townsville, Cairns and Darwin. The brand developed around an informal, themed restaurant format rather than a premium fine-dining model. Its menu has traditionally emphasized beef steaks, slow-cooked prime rib, burgers, salads, side dishes, desserts and coffee. The restaurant environment and visual identity have been associated with a casual, family-oriented steakhouse experience, with franchising used as the principal mechanism for geographic growth. By December 2011, the chain had reached 69 Australian restaurants and had additional operations in New Zealand, Thailand and Singapore. It also reported international ambitions involving Asian markets, the United Kingdom, Europe and North America. The first Philippines outlet opened in 2013, and a restaurant operated at Vision City Shopping Centre in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The brand also controlled licensing and use of the Jamaica Joe's trademark in Australia and overseas during this period. The business later experienced a significant contraction. Its Australian network reached a reported peak of 83 restaurants, but closures reduced the number to 47 by March 2021. The company attributed the decline to difficult trading conditions in the restaurant sector and changing consumer dining habits. Some franchisees, however, criticized the level of corporate support and alleged mismanagement. A 2016 attempt to rename the chain Hog's Australia's Steakhouse was short-lived and reportedly unpopular with both franchisees and customers. Several diversification projects, including Hogs Express, Funky Mexican Cantina, a food-truck concept and Bar Nineteen89, did not become enduring businesses. Founder Don Algie returned to the business in November 2020 as part of an effort to rebuild the brand. The last South Australian franchise closed in January 2024, following a reduction from a previous state network of five restaurants. In July 2024, former chief executive Steven Spurgin said the company intended to rebuild its footprint, with a stated objective of opening 20 new restaurants by 2029. Reference material reports that 17 locations remained as of March 2026. Hog's Breath Cafe therefore remains an active but substantially smaller chain than at its peak, with its future strategy focused on network renewal, franchise development and restoring the visibility of its core steakhouse proposition.
History
Hog's Breath Cafe began in July 1989 when Don Algie opened the first restaurant at Airlie Beach in Queensland. A second site opened at Mooloolaba in November 1990, establishing the early basis for a Queensland-centered restaurant chain. Further locations followed in Townsville and Cairns, with the business subsequently expanding beyond Queensland to Darwin and other Australian markets. The brand's operating model combined a distinctive casual steakhouse identity with franchising. Its best-known menu item was prime rib, prepared through an extended slow-roasting process commonly described as lasting about 18 hours. This gave the chain a recognizable product anchor while its broader menu included steaks, burgers, salads, sides, desserts and coffee. The concept was designed for relaxed, informal dining rather than formal restaurant service. International development accelerated during the 2000s and early 2010s. By December 2011, the business was reported to have 69 Australian outlets, along with three in New Zealand, two in Thailand and one in Singapore. It also pursued trademark and licensing opportunities connected with Jamaica Joe's and discussed further development in Asian markets, the United Kingdom, Europe and North America. A Philippines restaurant opened in 2013, and an outlet operated at Vision City Shopping Centre in Port Moresby. The chain's history also includes disputes concerning the origin and ownership of its name and visual identity. Jerry Dorminy had operated Hog's Breath Saloon in Florida since 1976 and used the Hog's Breath Cafe name for part of that business by the late 1980s. Dorminy alleged that Algie had adopted important elements of the American business after their earlier professional relationship and discussions about a possible Australian operation. In a 1994 trademark determination, an assistant registrar rejected Dorminy's attempt to prevent registration of five Hog's Breath trademarks by Algie. A separate copyright dispute brought by American designer John Lamb concluded in 2007 with an agreement under which Hog's Breath paid $750,000 inclusive of legal costs over the use of a pig cartoon and related artwork. During the late 2010s, the business entered a weaker phase. The company changed its trading name briefly to Hog's Australia's Steakhouse in 2016, but the rebrand was reportedly poorly received. Experiments such as Hogs Express, Funky Mexican Cantina, a food truck and Bar Nineteen89 did not develop into successful long-term extensions. Closures reduced the Australian network from a reported high of 83 restaurants to 47 by March 2021. Management attributed the decline to broader restaurant-sector difficulties and changing dining behavior, while some franchisees alleged that the company had not provided adequate support and had mismanaged the network. Algie returned to the business in November 2020 during an attempted rebuild. The contraction continued in some regions: South Australia's final franchise closed in January 2024, after the state had previously hosted five locations. In July 2024, former chief executive Steven Spurgin described plans to restore the chain's presence, including a target of 20 new restaurants by 2029. The reference material reports 17 locations remained as of March 2026. The brand is therefore active but smaller than its peak, and its current story is primarily one of franchise-network recovery and renewed emphasis on its established steakhouse identity.
- 2024
South Australian network ends
[1]The last South Australian franchise closes in January.
- 2024
Proposed footprint expansion
[1]Former chief executive Steven Spurgin announces a plan to open 20 new restaurants by 2029.
- 2021
Australian outlet count falls to 47
[1]The reported Australian network has declined from a peak of 83 locations to 47 by March.
- 2020
Founder returns during rebuild effort
[1]Don Algie returns to the business in November as the company attempts to rebuild the brand.
- 2016
Temporary rebrand
[1]The chain adopts Hog's Australia's Steakhouse as a trading identity, but the change is later abandoned.
- 2013
Philippines expansion
[1]The brand opens its first outlet in the Philippines.
- 2011
International network reaches multiple markets
[1]By December, the chain is reported to operate 69 Australian outlets plus restaurants in New Zealand, Thailand and Singapore.
- 2007
Pig-logo copyright dispute settled
[1]A Federal Court proceeding involving designer John Lamb concludes with a settlement payment of $750,000 inclusive of legal fees.
- 1994
Trademark registration challenge rejected
[1]An assistant registrar declines an application by Jerry Dorminy to prevent Algie from registering five Hog's Breath trademarks.
- 1990
Second Queensland location opens
[1]A second restaurant opens at Mooloolaba in November, followed by expansion to other Queensland centers.
Products and positioning
Informal Australian steakhouse dining built around slow-cooked beef, approachable pricing and a relaxed franchise-restaurant atmosphere.
Steakhouse signature dish
Slow-roasted prime rib
The chain's signature offering is a beef prime-rib preparation cooked slowly for approximately 18 hours. It functions as the central product associated with the brand and differentiates the restaurant from more general casual-dining competitors.
Main courses
Steaks
Steaks form a core part of the brand's casual steakhouse menu. The available reference material does not specify individual cuts, sourcing standards or current menu variations.
Casual dining
Burgers
Burgers broaden the menu beyond steak and provide a more accessible fast-casual-style option within the restaurant format. Detailed recipes and named products are not identified in the reference material.
Beverages
Coffee and beverages
Coffee and other restaurant beverages complement the food menu and support the brand's all-day casual-dining positioning. The sources do not provide a current beverage list.
Controversies
2016
Worker underpayment allegations
Hog's Breath Cafe was accused of underpaying workers. The available reference does not establish the amount involved, the parties' final position or any definitive regulatory outcome.
2014
Legal threat against Hoggy's Takeaway
A Current Affair reported that lawyers acting for Hog's Breath sought to stop a small New South Wales takeaway called Hoggy's Takeaway from using the name and related branding. The business owner said the name reflected his surname. A public petition reportedly attracted more than 14,000 signatures, and Hog's Breath later applied for the Hoggy's Takeaway trademark.
2007
Copyright dispute over pig artwork
Designer John Lamb alleged that a pig cartoon he created for the Florida Hog's Breath business had been used in connection with the Australian chain without authorization. The matter ended in an agreement requiring payment of $750,000 inclusive of legal fees.
1994
Trademark-origin dispute involving the Hog's Breath name
Jerry Dorminy, who operated a Hog's Breath business in Florida, argued that Don Algie's earlier relationship with him created obligations concerning the use and registration of the Hog's Breath name in Australia. The trademark challenge was rejected in a detailed determination dated 30 June 1994.
Brand decisions
2024
Set a target for 20 new restaurants by 2029StrategyBackground
The brand was operating with a substantially smaller footprint than its reported peak of 83 Australian locations.
Action taken
Former chief executive Steven Spurgin announced an intended rebuild of the restaurant network and a goal of opening 20 new restaurants by 2029.
Aftermath
The announcement positioned network recovery and franchise growth as central priorities, although the reference material does not confirm how many planned openings were completed.
2020
Founder returns to support a brand rebuildStrategyBackground
The chain had experienced closures, unsuccessful concept extensions and criticism from some franchisees.
Action taken
Don Algie returned to the business in November as part of a rebuild effort.
Aftermath
The business continued to rationalize its network, while later management described plans for renewed expansion.
2016
Adopted the Hog's Australia's Steakhouse nameStrategyBackground
The company attempted to refresh or reposition the chain during a period when the restaurant business was under pressure.
Action taken
Restaurants were temporarily branded Hog's Australia's Steakhouse instead of Hog's Breath Cafe.
Aftermath
The rebrand was reportedly poorly received by franchisees and customers and was later discontinued.
Sources1 sources
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