[1] When Burger King decided to expand its operations into Australia, it found that its business name was already trademarked by a man running a small takeaway food shop in Adelaide.
Thus, Burger King was forced to change the name when it decided to open stores in the country – the only time this has happened in its corporate history.
In 1996, shortly after the Australian trademark on the Burger King name lapsed, Burger King Corporation made a claim that Hungry Jack's had violated the conditions of the renewed franchise agreement by failing to the expand the chain at the rate defined in the contract and sought to terminate the agreement.
The Supreme Court of New South Wales agreed with Cowin and determined that Burger King Corporation had violated the terms of the contract and awarded Hungry Jack's A$46.9 million.
[7][8][9] After Burger King Corporation lost the case, it decided to terminate its business in the country and sold its operations and assets to its New Zealand franchise group, Trans-Pacific Foods (TPF).
An additional part of the agreement required Burger King Corporation to provide administrative and advertising support as to ensure a common marketing scheme for the company and its products.