The Food Guys Podcast · Dub & Nectorious Papi

The Man Who Started Melbourne’s Burger Boom, Dani from Royal Stacks Tells All!

·56 min·5 clips

Dani recalls tasting Shake Shack for the first time and realizing burgers could be a culinary revelation.

This episode of The Food Guys Podcast features an interview with Dani Zeini, the founder of the Melbourne burger chain Royal Stacks. The hosts speak with Zeini about his culinary journey and the philosophy behind his successful restaurant brand. Dani Zeini is a key figure credited with helping start Melbourne's burger boom. Zeini explains that his parents migrated from Lebanon in 1977 and he grew up working in their cafes and a pizza shop. His first independent job was at a Greek-owned cafe called Agora in Chadstone, where he fell in love with hospitality. He later worked at hatted restaurants like Mietta's and Harvey's before opening his first venue, the Dandenong Pavilion, in 2006. A trip to the United States around 2009 introduced him to Shake Shack, which fundamentally changed his perspective on burger culture and service style. He opened the Grand Trailer Park Taverna in the CBD around 2014, pioneering a counter-service model at a higher price point. The first Royal Stacks launched on Collins Street in 2016 with just six burger options and no chicken on the initial menu. Zeini personally handled every aspect of that launch, from scrubbing the floors to branding, as a personal mission. He describes the early success, with consistent lines out the door until COVID-19, and the chain's subsequent expansion to nearly 20 locations. A surprising insight is Zeini's profound love for the raw Lebanese dish kibbeh nayeh, which he enthusiastically recommends from Mama Monoish. He argues that the freshness required in Lebanese cuisine, where dishes are made to order, sets it apart. Zeini also shares that he flew to Coca-Cola's headquarters in Atlanta by himself to lobby for the Freestyle drink machines, which are now a signature feature in four of his stores. He reflects on the challenge of maintaining a brand's "cool" factor as it expands and becomes a chain, noting that Royal Stacks may not feature in "top burger" lists as frequently now. Zeini identifies the need to connect with a new, internet-savvy Generation Z demographic as his next major business challenge. The 90s theme across Royal Stacks venues is deeply personal to him, representing an era of optimism embodied by figures like Michael Jordan and Michael Jackson. The tone is highly conversational, relaxed, and full of candid anecdotes, with Zeini openly sharing his insecurities and ambitions. The style is informal and nostalgic, often veering into passionate tangents about food, music, and culture. Listeners interested in Melbourne's food history, restaurant entrepreneurship, or the story behind a iconic local brand will find this episode compelling. Those seeking a tightly structured interview or deep culinary analysis might find the meandering, personal conversation less engaging.

As heard by us

A burger story with a Lebanese detour and Melbourne growth talk.

Royal Stacks' Danny steers the talk from burgers into Lebanese food, and the sharpest stretch is the kibaneh discussion, where he gets concrete about raw lamb, pita, cold vegetables, and the appeal of texture. That detail gives the piece its footing.

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Why you'd press play

Want burger talk that detours into kibaneh, branding, and Melbourne expansion?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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