Ballarat’s favourite burger joint is set for franchise expansion opposite Showbiz Cinemas in the growing complex.  

Griffin Burger has announced it would answer calls from Sebastopol and Delacombe residents and move into area, finding a spot in DTC. The burger bar is touted to open in early March with fit-outs set to begin this month.

This comes as H.Troon developer managing director Steve Troon confirmed the highly anticipated opening of Food Ruckers would likely be before Christmas, having initially hoped for a mid-November arrival.

Mr Troon said DTC had also attracted a national brand gym, which was set for fit-out in the centre. Nearby plans for Bunnings are also well-developed.

For Griffin Burger, this continues moves from the family-run, homegrown business to expand.

From an opening staff of four in 2015, Griffin Burger outgrew its small Sturt Street shop front and moved to a larger venue on Ballarat’s popular foodie strip Armstrong Street.

The Courier readers voted Griffin Burger as Ballarat’s best burger makers in July, drawing 56 per cent of votes.

At the time, co-owner Sam Griffin said they had ambitions to open a second Ballarat store next year before considering a start elsewhere in the state.  

Griffin Burger has built a strong fan base in offering a creative array of takeaway options, ranging from carbonara fries to the ‘fusion’ burger, boasting a beef patty, bacon, onion and shoestring fries.

The team also regularly puts a call-out on social media for new ideas to try and to seek feedback on obscure specials.

Griffin Burger’s social media declaration about a move to DTC generated plenty of excitement among followers. The initial post drew more than 1000 likes.

Food Ruckers has all-but-finished its preparations to open on what was initially pencilled in as a bar and burger joint from Broo, the environmentally-friendly brewing company. 

Broo instead opted to focus on expanding its presence in the Ballarat West Employment Zone.

DTC is the city’s biggest retail development since Central Square. The centre opened in early September last year with flagship tenants Woolworths, Kmart and Showbiz Cinemas among 30 founding traders.

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Set on a 6.5-hectare block, DTC was created from an initial $33 million transformation, primarily to cater to the region’s booming western growth.

The area surrounding DTC is expected to house as many as 12,000 residents by 2030.

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