US burger giant Carl’s Jr opens second Ipswich store

Burger store Carl’s Jr has officially opened its second Ipswich store with some customers already vowing to be repeat ground round connoisseurs.

The West Ipswich store, on the corner of Brisbane and Hooper streets, signed up the first 50 through the door to eat free for a whole year.

More than 15,000 people were served during the opening week at Carl’s Jr at Pimpama on the Gold Coast last month and family-owned retailer Bansal Group is hoping for similar numbers in West Ipswich.

This is the third of 20 Carl’s Jr restaurants that the Bansal Group wants to open in Queensland. The Redbank Plains store opened in January.

The company has extreme confidence in Ipswich’s growth potential.

“It’s a fast-growing and increasingly dynamic area so we’re excited to bring Carl’s Jr to the people of West Ipswich and our burgers will very quickly speak for themselves,” Bansal group general manager Shawn Kerr said.

The iconic California-influenced menu is renowned for its giant thickburgers and also features low carb alternatives for the health conscious.

Bansal Group teamed up with Ipswich City Council’s Office of Economic Development and PCYC Ipswich to provide a venue for job interviews and initial training.

Carl’s Jr eventually hired 82 locals, ranging in age from 15 to about 50, in readiness for the August 29 opening.

OED Manager Paul Massingham said it was a positive result all around.

“Some 400 people applied and a few of the PCYC kids also applied and were successful for jobs at the new store,” he said.

“The team at the Australian Government’s Department of Jobs and Small Business and State Government’s Department of Employment Small Business and Training were very pleased with the outcome and will now seek to partner with other PCYCs around the state as it is a great opportunity and partnership for the whole community.”

Mr Massingham, who attended Wednesday’s opening, said it would be a huge boost for the Ipswich economy.

“It is great to see Carl’s Jr here in West Ipswich. The Bansal Group made its first investment in Ipswich eight years ago with an IGA and to is great to see the continued investment in the region,” he said.

“This is about increasing the diversity of product offering and providing more choice for our community. The opening of Carl’s Jr is a great example of the investment opportunity in Ipswich and provides jobs for more than 80 Ipswich locals.”