Saizeriya to open first Australian restaurant in Melbourne

Saizeriya, the Japanese budget Italian restaurant chain with over 900 locations in Japan, is set to open its first Australian restaurant in November. The new branch will be located at Melbourne’s Highpoint Shopping Centre.

The chain is known for its highly affordable pricing, with some menu items priced as low as $3. Saizeriya utilizes a pre-cooked meal format, similar to airline catering, to maintain these low costs.

While this marks the brand's first storefront in the country, the company already maintains an established supply link to the local market, as many ingredients used in its Japanese locations are prepared in Victoria before being shipped overseas. The expansion has sparked discussions regarding whether the chain can maintain its signature low prices and food quality within the Australian market.