The Hungry Monkey in Kiama is not only basking in more business after being named the best business on the entire South Coast. The owners are moving forward with plans to open a second restaurant before its third anniversary next April.
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Speculation is high about where that might be but the two men who came up with the idea for the business when they were 18 are not yet saying where or what it will be called.
Former Kiama High students Jack Alexander and Taylor Hudson have been long time friends. But they’re still taking their latest success in after being named Outstanding Cafe and winner of the overall Business of the Year title at the Illawarra and South Coast Local Business Awards.
Not only are they experiencing increased trade from all the publicity surrounding the awards they have also been filmed by Sydney Weekender for an episode due to air within a fortnight.
But with Mr Alexander and Mr Hudson revealing they are about to move ahead with plans to open a second restaurant people are already starting to try and guess the location. Many want to know where else they might be able to order one of the famous Bad Boy burgers or one of the many other popular items on the continually evolving menu that provides different dining experiences at different times of the day.
“We are looking to expand. We are looking to open another store. We are not too sure where it will be yet,” Mr Alexander said.
We are looking to expand. We are looking to open another store. We are not too sure where it will be yet.
- Jack Alexander
“We had a goal of two in three years and three years will be up in April next year. So the plan is to get another one open and not too far away.”
The Hungry Monkey employs 35 people and Mr Hudson said one of the reasons behind its success was a combination of service and food.
“What I like to say to people is our menu is naughty or nice,” he said.
“You can have like a super healthy salad and be nice. Or you can be naughty and create a burger or whatever you want to do to be on the naughty side of things. But customer service is crucial for us and I feel that is why we have created that mini-community of people coming here and wanting to come here.”