Since 1976 Barbeques Galore has grown to become Australia's favourite retailer.

1976
After many fruitless searches for a suitable barbeque for his home, Max Mason and his father Hilton decided that there were many other people that must be finding the same obstacles as they were. The goal was to create for the average household a versatile, well-designed barbeque. Not knowing how the general public would react they set out upon their journey to fulfil their small goal.

They purchased products form wholesalers as well as contract manufacturers and in 1976 they commenced selling barbeques to the public from their humble backyard premises in Byrne St, Auburn, NSW. Prompted by only a small advertisement in the classified section - “BBQ’s FOR SALE”, people never stopped coming. Due to the initial success, more suitable premises were soon required.

1977
The first Barbeques Galore store opened in Silverwater, Sydney, (12,000 sq. ft.). A store also opened in each capital city as well as a warehouse (approx. 25,000 sq. ft.) in Highgate Street, Auburn, to service the stores. Bob and Margaret Crisp, owners of a small factory called Park-Tec, were approached to undertake the manufacture of products designed by Barbeques Galore.

1980
The first store opened in Los Angeles, US, and an Australian manager was sent there to run the operation.

1981
Cook-On (an established wholesaler of gas barbeques and gas camping equipment, and supplier to Barbeques Galore) was acquired. The reason for the acquisition was to secure stock for Barbeques Galore, as it was now the largest customer of Cook-On. John Price, as managing director of Cook-On, joined The Galore Group at the time of the acquisition. A warehouse facility of 50,000 sq. ft. was leased in Suttor Street, Auburn, to warehouse and distribute to existing Barbeques Galore stores, as well as the Cook-On wholesale division.

The first Licensee was granted in Dubbo, and this marked the beginning of a Licensee programme for country areas.

1982
The group had far outgrown its entrepreneurial beginnings. Sam Linz and Joe Hersch joined the group as Executive Chairman and Financial Director respectively, and The Galore Group was formed.

Sam Linz acquired a controlling interest in The Galore Group introducing significant equity and professional management. Max Mason remained on as Managing Director, and Hilton Mason retired at age 68.

The seasonality of the business began to be tackled in earnest, and The Galore Group looked to the solid fuel slow combustion heating market to solve the problem of a winter line.

The previous season had been the first foray into the heating market, with heaters and potbelly stoves from outside manufacturers. A completely computerised system was installed to control the warehouse, wholesale and retail stores.

1983
The retail product range was enhanced with outdoor furniture and, camping equipment and tents.

Robert Gavshon joined The Galore Group as General Counsel and has served as Executive Deputy Chairman of the board since August 1993.

1985
Park-Tec was purchased from Bob and Margaret Crisp. This allowed The Galore Group to vertically integrate with considerable benefits.

A separate and complete research and development department was commissioned.

The Australian Design Award was granted to the Maxiheat ‘Maxitile’ solid fuel heater, and also to the Norseman ‘Tilefire’.

1986
Australian Enamellers was acquired. Vitreous enamelling is an essential process in the production of enamelled barbeques and heaters. It makes the product easy to clean and scratch resistant, so that it doesn’t rust.

The Australian Design Award was granted to the Barbeques Galore Turbo range of barbeques.

1987
The Galore Group was admitted to the official list of the Main Board of the Australian Stock Exchange. The entire issued share capital of Horan Steel was acquired, marking the entry of The Galore Group into the steel industry.

The Galore Group appointed its first franchisee and licensee in the USA.

The property from which the Australian Head Office operated was purchased to secure tenure.
Pool ‘n’ Patio, a Californian corporation, was purchased so as to broaden the retail base of the Galore Group in the USA.

1988
The Galore Group entered the optical industry with retail superstores Optic Express, which included on-site laboratories providing one-hour prescription glasses. The flagship store was opened in Chatswood, Sydney, by the State Health Minister.

The Galore Group made a significant acquisition of Alkair and its leisure, tool, outdoor, power and industrial gas distribution fields. The acquisition included the well-known brands - Primus, Companion, Bahco, Hit, Igloo and Murray.

A new wholesale homewares division, known as ‘Select Homewares’ was started.

1991
A rationalisation program saw the wholesale division’s various segments merge to form Pricotech Leisure Brands, and the shedding of fringe product range to concentrate on the core businesses of barbeques, heaters, camping and coolers.

1992
The Optic Express chain was sold with the major part being purchased by OPSM. Horan’s Steel was also sold during this year.

1993
Bill Keighran, a founding member of Freedom Furniture, was appointed to the group as General Manager of Retail. He implemented a number of new initiatives with emphasis on the establishment of a clear market position and a culture of responsibility and accountability at store level.

1995
Peter Spring succeeded Bill Keighran as the General Manager of Retail. His focus
was to continue Bill Keighran’s work in establishing a customer-focused culture to guarantee Barbeques Galore’s place as the leading outdoor leisure retailer. He restructured the Retail Support area and put systems in place to enable all employees to exceed our customer’s expectations.

One significant initiative was to bring the Licensee Division under the umbrella of
the Retail Division. This ensured both divisions followed the same map in
supporting the vision of ‘Enhancing Our Customers’ Lifestyle’.

1996
The Galore Group Limited delisted from the Australian Stock Exchange.

Park-Tec, the company’s manufacturing division relocated from Milperra NSW to a site in close proximity to the head office and distribution centre in Auburn.

1997
Barbeques Galore Limited (formally known as the ‘The Galore Group Limited’) successfully listed on the New York Stock Exchange. This enabled the company to expand their U.S. Operations. 11 new stores in the U.S. were opened with another 15-20 stores planned for 1998 and 1999.

2000
On 14 March 2000, a historical event occurred, whereby all the Divisions were gathered together under one roof for the first time. They were there to witness the launch of the Group Mission, Vision and Values Statements.

2001
Barbeques Galore launched a new direction with its product offering and introduced ‘The Outdoor Room’ concept to the Australian marketplace.

This new offering included outdoor heaters, garden lights, water fountains, fun and funky outdoor decorator items, and an expanded range of outdoor furniture settings, umbrellas and tableware.

2002
Barbeques Galore continues to set the standard in outdoor leisure retailing with
the opening of a new superstore in the Knox O-zone precinct at Knox Towerpoint Shopping Centre in Melbourne. A new Licensee store also opened in Rockingham
in Western Australia.

The Grand Turbo 9 Burner Stainless Steel Barbeque joins the Turbo range and sets new standards in quality and features such as complete stainless steel finish on barbeque and mobile cart, along with a stainless steel cook-top and infra-red rear rotisserie burner.

2003
The landmark Keswick store in Adelaide is destroyed in fire (caused by an electrical fault) and a temporary store is opened at nearby Mile End. A new store is also opened early in the year in Myaree in Perth.

Barbeques Galore appoints Ideaworks retail advertising agency to its account and launches a new campaign across television, radio and print media promoting ‘Good Times Galore’ – Barbeques Galore. To support this new direction our next generation of superstore is launched at the Crossroads Homemaker Centre, Casula in Sydney’s Western Suburbs and the company's first Visual Merchandising Manager is appointed to deliver the ‘Good Times Galore’ vision.

The Turbo Select Barbeque joins the Turbo range featuring a stylish new design
and innovative features like a built-in electronic gas gauge that let’s you know
how much gas you have left!

2004
The ´Good Times´ continue with the opening of new stores at Marion in Adelaide, Hoppers Crossing and Nunawading in Melbourne, and Morley in Perth. A major renovation project at the Moore Park store in Sydney saw it transform into the very latest Barbeques Galore flagship. By the end of 2004 another two new stores opened their doors in Launceston Tasmania and Fortitude Valley in Brisbane.

Phoenix, a "concept" barbeque designed exclusively for Barbeques Galore, offering a contemporary look while retaining the functionality of a traditional barbeque, hits the market and is greeted with huge media interest.

2005
In February 2005 the Barbeques Galore head office packed up after more than 15 years in Auburn and moved to its new location at Homebush. All corporate, retail, finance and wholesale divisions are now under the one roof.

The national metropolitan store network continues to expand rapidly with the opening of Capalaba in Brisbane and Castle Hill in Sydney.

In October Ironbridge Capital, a leading Australian independent private equity manager, acquired all the outstanding shares and options in Barbeques Galore and under the arrangement will de-list Barbeques Galore from the NASDAQ Exchange in the US. Ironbridge Capital also announced that Jonathan Pinshaw, a highly regarded senior executive with significant retail experience, will become Chairman of Barbeques Galore. Executive Chairman Sam Linz, Deputy Chairman Robert Gavshon and US Chairman Sydney Selati announce they are leaving Barbeques Galore after taking the business from it's humble beginnings in Auburn, Australia to more than 150 retail stores across Australia and the US.

2006
The beginning of 2006 sees the appointment of a new CEO, Rebecca Dee-Bradbury, to head up both the Australian and American operations. Rebecca has a track record of delivering transformational change through the development of achievement based, people focused cultures. She has a passion for empowering people, brands and organisations to achieve their potential.

In September a new look concept store opens in Caringbah Sydney. This exciting store is a first in the Australian BBQ market, moving away from just a display of products, to an environment that excites and inspires customers to get more out of their barbequing and outdoor experience. The store is filled with barbequing hints and tips as well as beautiful food images designed to increase your appetite.

A second store of the same format is planned to open in Logan Brisbane in March 2007.

Click here to take a quick tour of the new look Caringbah store.

2007
Logan store opens in March in southern Brisbane with the new format and is an immediate success.

In late 2007 the Australian & American businesses are split into two separate trading entities with separate boards and financing arrangements. As a result of this separation the group Management team has been disbanded and separate CEO’s have been appointed to the Australian & US business. Karen Waddell is appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer for the Australian Operation. Karen has been with Barbeques Galore for two years and was previously the group Chief Financial Officer.