In the mid-1970s, best friends and business partners Nick Tana and Steve Fyfe started Big Rooster in Queensland, Australia.

[4] When Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) opened in Sydney in 1968, it spearheaded American fast food's introduction into Australia.

Coles Myer promptly converted these locations into Red Roosters, expanding their chain into New South Wales.

[6] In 1988, Big Rooster and smaller competitor Chicken Treat merged into one company, Australian Fast Foods (AFF).

The deal included Big Rooster's 92 locations in Queensland, two in the Northern Territory, and four overseas in Papua New Guinea.

[9] In late 2018, Big Rooster announced they were spending K1.2 million for country-wide expansion plans to double their 26 outlets in three years.

[13] According to a 2024 article in The Morning Bulletin, in Australia, Big Rooster served tropical burgers, chicken, chips (fries), and banana fritters.

[3] As of May 2024[update], Big Rooster's website lists 30 locations, mostly in the capital city of Port Moresby.