It wasn’t an original idea. The first Hog’s Breath Cafe drew its name and its logo from the Hog’s Breath Saloon, a watering hole opened by American Jerry Dorminy in Florida in 1975. The weird name is drawn from the line “A hog’s breath is better than no breath at all” which, apparently, echoes Dorminy’s grandmother’s saying that “Bad breath is better than no breath at all”. Appetising!
In 1985, an Australian racing-car driver and yachtsman, Don Algie, was employed by Dorminy to organise and promote a series of yacht races in the USA. Algie subsequently registered the Hog’s Breath Cafe name in Australia, appropriated the logo and opened his first restaurant at Airlie Beach in north Queensland. To promote the opening, Algie organised the Hog’s Breath Cruising Classic Regatta, a yachtie festival which continues to this day as the Airlie Beach Race Week.
In 1990, the second Hog’s Breath Cafe opened in Mooloolaba on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Further franchised outlets soon followed in Townsville, Cairns and Darwin and, by 2011, according to Wikipedia there were 69 Hog’s Breath Cafes operating in Australia, three in New Zealand, two in Thailand and one in Singapore.
The signature dish, from day one, was the 18-hour slow-cooked prime rib. Essentially, it was a steak restaurant. The menu grew to include other USA-style dishes including pork ribs, southern fried chicken, potato skins and buffalo wings. Of course, there was the ever-popular reef and beef as well as Aussie barramundi and seafood platters.
The Hog’s Breath relied on sponsorships for much of its marketing. As well as sailing events, the company sponsored car racing, Rugby League teams (including the Queensland State of Origin), soccer, BMX, cycling and surfing competitions.
It couldn’t last. Along with other full-service family restaurant chains such as Sizzler and the Black Stump, Hog’s Breath suffered as the Australian public aspired to a more elevated dining experience. The name, some said, was too “bogan”. Then came the coronavirus pandemic, hitting the industry hard. By 2021, the chain was down to 47 locations and by 2025, just 20 remained. Most were in Queensland and the interstate venues were either in outer suburbs or country towns.
As of 2025, a new management team was trying to inject new life into the business and the brand. Judging by many of the reviews, they had a big job ahead of them.