A Tasmanian family restaurant that started in Burnie has opened its third store in three years, expanding into Hobart as its owners look to grow the brand to “every corner” of the state.
Hungry Birds owners Hijab Fatima and her husband Yasir Abbas opened their first store in Burnie in 2023, followed by a second in Devonport.
Their third location has now opened in Hobart, marking the next step in the couple’s plans to grow the business beyond the north-west.
Fatima said strong support from customers in their existing stores had encouraged them to expand south, with regulars asking why they had not yet opened a Hobart store.
“So we started from a small town, Burnie, but the support we get from, you know, local people is huge and it gives us motivation that we are here now,” she told Pulse.
“Every time we have customers coming in to Burnie and Devonport, they motivate, like, why we don’t open something in Hobart.”
Hungry Birds offers a big, fusion menu spanning Middle Eastern and Mexican food, burgers, wraps, tacos, kebabs and snack packs, alongside breakfast options, desserts and a children’s menu.
Fatima said the idea was to offer something for everyone, with customers able to try something different each time they visited.
The Hobart store will also offer yoghurt bowls with fresh fruit toppings and a range of non-alcoholic mocktails, alongside its broader menu.
“Our portions are very generous. That’s the feedback we get and we focus on customer service a lot,” she said.
The move to Hobart has involved relocating two families, with Fatima’s sister and her family also making the move to support the business.
Experienced staff who have been with Hungry Birds since its opening continue to run the Burnie and Devonport stores, while Abbas travels between the locations to oversee operations.
Fatima said the couple was already considering further expansion, with a potential Launceston location in mind and the possibility of opening more stores around Hobart.
“Hungry Birds in every corner. That’s the plan,” she said.
Hungry Birds Hobart is located at 116 Elizabeth Street and will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
