Milky Lane Franchise Business for Sale in Darwin City, NT 800

The Opportunity

Secure your position in Darwin's expanding food scene with Milky Lane's first Northern Territory location. As the capital city's population continues to grow, driven by defence investments and tourism, Darwin presents an ideal market for Milky Lane's proven burger and hospitality concept. Our established brand brings comprehensive operational systems, marketing support, and an innovative menu that has already captured loyal followers across Australian capital cities. Send an Enquiry to Milky Lane via Hattch Today!

Company overview and history

Here's a professional overview of Milky Lane based on the franchise information book:

Company History & Founding:

Founded in 2016 by a group of four entrepreneurs from Bondi Beach
Started with first location in Bondi Beach and has since expanded to multiple locations across Australia
Achieved rapid growth through a combination of quality food offerings and strong social media presence

Mission & Core Values:

Mission Statement: "Creating Experiences & Bottling Magic"
Core focus on delivering premium burger dining experiences that combine great food, cocktails, and hip-hop culture
Values diversity and inclusion with the slogan "Our Success comes from our Diversity"
Committed to building long-term relationships with employees and franchisees

Business Approach:

Positions itself as a premium but accessible burger brand, bridging the gap between fast food and gourmet offerings
Emphasizes unique restaurant design featuring custom street art and hip-hop culture elements
Strong focus on social media presence and digital marketing
Implements comprehensive training and support systems for franchisees
Uses superior quality ingredients sourced from local and national suppliers
Combines food service with entertainment elements including DJs and unique atmosphere

Key Milestones:

2016: First store opened in Bondi Beach
2018: Expanded to multiple locations including Cronulla, Parramatta, and Surfers Paradise
2019: Opened locations in Newcastle and Canberra; Won Hospitality Business of the Year
2020: Reached $500,000 weekly group revenue; Sold first 6 franchise territories
2021-2022: Continued expansion with new locations and implementation of new systems

The company operates under what they call a "not-so-franchise model" that emphasises creativity, open communication, and world-class systems between franchisees and corporate leadership. Their success is built on six key pillars: social media presence, unique art & design, customer service standards, perfect pricing, superior product quality, and franchise flexibility.

Product/service offerings

Core Product Categories:

1. Burgers

Premium designer burgers featuring various ingredients and sizes
Signature options like Lil Weezy (Wagyu beef), Kevin Bacon, and Chic-Kanye (southern fried chicken)
Vegetarian and gluten-free options available (e.g. The Drake with black bean patty)
Kids' menu options

2. Sides & Extras

Popcorn chicken pieces
Various styles of fries
Loaded fries and specialty sides
Bacon mac & cheese croquettes
Deep fried potato options

3. Beverages

Signature cocktails
Share cocktails for groups
Thick shakes in various flavors
Beer selection (bottles & cans)
Wine list
Soft drinks
Specialty shots

4. Desserts

Designer desserts "Instagram worthy without filters"
Sweet churros
Waffles
Nutella cheesecake
Loaded signature shakes

Service Elements:

Full-service dining experience
DJ entertainment
Unique art and design atmosphere
Premium customer service standards
Casual dining environment with hip-hop culture influence
Focus on creating memorable dining experiences
Blend of quality food with entertainment atmosphere

Product Mix (by revenue):

Burgers: 28%
Cocktails: 28%
Sides: 9%
Shakes: 9%
Desserts: 8%
Beer: 6%
Extras: 5%
Cold Drinks: 4%
Kids Menu: 4%

The brand positions itself as a premium but accessible dining option, focusing on quality ingredients while maintaining reasonable price points compared to both commercial and high-end burger establishments.

Image Gallery for Milky Lane

Target market and industry trends

Milky Lane Target Market

Diverse audience: meat lovers, vegans, health-conscious diners
Younger, tech-savvy demographic
Resonates with urban culture
Immersive environments and themed designs
Community focus: events, local artists, live music

Burger Industry Trends in Australia

Rise of boutique burger joints
Health and wellness focus: demand for plant-based options
Sustainability and local sourcing
Technology integration: AI, digital ordering
Social media influence on dining experiences
Experiential dining: unique and memorable experiences

Ongoing fees (royalties, marketing fees)

Royalty Fee: 6.5% of gross sales, paid monthly
Marketing Fee: Maximum of 2% of sales for online advertising

Training and support provided to franchisees

Milky Lane provides comprehensive training and ongoing support to its franchisees through several key initiatives:

Tailor-made training program covering operational processes, customer service, and management
8-week training period for franchisees and their teams
Ongoing training, infrastructure, and marketing support
Assistance throughout the store building process
Support with innovative technology, branding campaigns, and marketing tools
Help with recruiting and training staff
Partnership approach emphasizing honesty, integrity, and professionalism
Continuous guidance and resources for overcoming challenges

Day in the life

8-week comprehensive training program covering operational processes, customer service, and management
Actively involved in day-to-day operations, managing staff and customer service
Interacting with customers and overseeing kitchen, bar, and dining areas
Engaging with customers online, creating content, and monitoring social media trends
Recruiting, training, and managing staff to ensure high service levels
Monitoring sales, managing inventory, and operating within budget
Staying in touch with franchisor's support team for ongoing training and updates
Working long hours, often up to 14 hours a day, especially during the grand opening

Staffing requirements

Comprehensive training provided for franchisee and staff
Operations Team assists in staff recruitment and training
No previous restaurant experience required; related experience helpful
Teamwork and inviting personality essential
Availability for late nights and weekends required
Owner-operator applications only accepted

Location requirements and territory information

Milky Lane assigns a specific target area to each franchisee, ensuring exclusivity.
The location must have a sufficiently represented target group.
There should be potential for the franchise system in the region.
The area must be viable for the Milky Lane business model.
Investment and setup costs range from $150,000 to $600,000 (+GST), excluding real estate costs.
Franchisees receive support with store design and location planning.
Current locations are in ACT, NSW, QLD, and WA, with plans for expansion throughout Australia.

Financing options available

For detailed information about financing options for a Milky Lane franchise, we recommend reaching out to Milky Lane directly using the "Send Enquiry" function on Hattch.

Franchisee qualifications and experience required

No prior experience necessary
Comprehensive training provided
Passion and effort are crucial
Residency requirements for owners and guarantors
Commitment to the business is essential
Owner-operator applications preferred
Contact Milky Lane to express interest
Receive information pack and application form
Complete confidentiality agreement
Interview to discuss next steps

Unique selling propositions and competitive advantages

Bespoke, colourful atmosphere with eclectic sounds and vibrant decor
Strong social media presence with over 180,000 Instagram followers
Unique and creative menu items, visually appealing and shareable
Focus on building strong customer relationships through personalized communication
Comprehensive training and ongoing support for franchisees
Celebration of individuality and community events
Investment in technology, including a loyalty app
Innovative marketing strategies and branding campaigns

Challenges and potential risks for franchisees

Loss of brand control
Legal issues
High costs and finding suitable franchisees
Technological and operational challenges
Market and consumer trends
Staffing shortages
Financial pressures
Integration and supply chain risks

Testimonials or success stories from current franchisees

Henry, a franchisee since 2021, has made the Milky Lane Gasworks venue in Brisbane a top tourist destination with high Google reviews and spend per head.
Milky Lane provides comprehensive training, an 8-week training period, and ongoing support to franchisees.
Recognized as one of Australia’s fastest-growing burger brands, Milky Lane has a strong social media presence, indicating high customer engagement.
While specific franchisee testimonials are not available, the overall positive tone suggests high satisfaction among franchisees, emphasizing partnership and professionalism.

Application process and next steps for interested parties

Reach out to Milky Lane using the "Send Enquiry" function on Hattch.
Receive an information pack, Comprehensive Application Form, and Confidentiality Agreement to complete and submit.
Provide detailed financial information (net worth, liquid capital, personal assets, liabilities) and personal information (contact details, education, employment history, industry experience).
Undergo a vetting process to determine suitability.
If successful, attend an interview to discuss next steps
Complete an 8-week training program covering operations, customer service, and management.
Work with the Milky Lane team to build and launch the store, with support on design, location, and construction.
Receive ongoing support, including training, infrastructure, and marketing assistance.