Lord of the Fries is an Australian casual dining fast food chain. It was originally based in Melbourne, before expanding into other regions. It serves only vegan dishes including loaded fries, veggie burgers, hot dogs and a number of various sides and breakfast items. Due to the menu consisting entirely of plant-based products, all meals from the chain are Kosher and Halal. The restaurants became 100% vegan in 2018.[1] The founders are vegan as are most of the franchisees.
History
Lord of the Fries first started as a vegetarian "mobile chip van" in August 2004 which was driven across the country until late 2005 when the first store location was opened in Melbourne's city centre.[2]
After opening the first permanent store in Melbourne, founders Mark Koronczyk and Amanda Leigh Walker with Mark's brother Sam have expanded the chain across Australia, with a restaurant in almost every state; one in Western Australia two in Queensland and South Australia, and ten in Victoria. The company also planned to further open seven new stores a year over a six-year period.[3]
Lord of the Fries opened their first international store in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2016.[4] In 2018, the company announced a partnership with U.S. producer Beyond Meat, making them the first Australian restaurant chain to offer their plant-based burger patties.[5]
In 2022, Lord of the Fries Property, which was a crucial leasing vehicle for franchisees, collapsed in 2022 with debts of $2 million, in 2022.[6]
By 2025, all New Zealand LoTF stores had also closed, when once it had had six stores, with the website domain being defunct.[7]
The company has some minor brands stemming from their LoTF stores. Recently they have launched their side brand “Lord of the…” with plant based take home macaroni and cheese products.
In early 2025, the co-founders announced that they were stepping away from the brand.[7]
Locations
Lord of the Fries has three Victorian (Melbourne) stores - Flinders St Station - opposite Elizabeth St, Southern Cross Station and South Yarra. It has one South Australian store in Hindley St, Adelaide, and one store in Western Australia.[8] It used to have six New Zealand[9] locations, but by 2025, all had closed.
External links
- Australian
- New Zealand
References
- Does Lord of the Fries have any vegan options? Lord of the Fries, 8 July 2019, retrieved 24 January 2024^
- Our Story 2014-12-22, retrieved 2020-12-10^
- Cara Waters. How vegan surge made Mark's business the Lord of the Fries The Sydney Morning Herald, 2019-09-16, retrieved 2020-12-10^
- Famous fries joint, Lord of the Fries, lands in Auckland Business Franchise Australia, retrieved 2020-12-10^
- Leonardo DiCaprio's 'Beyond Meat' vegan burger coming to Lord Of the Fries The Brag, 2018-04-12, retrieved 2020-12-10^
- Alex Turner- Cohen. Landlord repossesses fast food store as chain's woes deepen News.com.au, 2024-05-06, retrieved 2024-07-30^
- Djan Magbanua. Lord of the Fries founders say farewell to the brand | QSR Media Australia qsrmedia.com.au, 31 January 2025^
- Australian Locations Lord of the Fries, retrieved 2021-09-19^
- New Zealand Locations Lord of the Fries, retrieved 2021-09-19^