Early Life and Education
Jack Cowin was born on July 13, 1942, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. His father, Stanley J. Cowin, worked for Ford and had a brief stint in Australia, where he encouraged Jack to consider moving there. Cowin graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario in 1964.
Career
Initial Ventures
After graduation, Cowin started his career as an insurance salesman with London Life in Toronto, where he worked for four years. In search of new business opportunities, he decided to visit Australia. During his vacation in Sydney, he noticed long queues at a Chinese takeaway, which inspired him to pursue the fast-food industry.
At 26, Cowin returned to Australia, focusing on expanding Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) in a market that was relatively untapped for fast food. He secured the rights to open ten KFC franchises in Western Australia and raised CA$10,000 each from thirty Canadian investors, launching the first outlet in December 1969.
Founding Hungry Jack’s
Cowin’s journey with KFC proved successful, as he opened eight outlets before he sought to expand further by acquiring the rights to Burger King. However, he discovered that someone else held the Burger King trademark in Australia. Adapting to this setback, he rebranded the outlets as Hungry Jack’s.
In 1999, Cowin faced a legal battle with Burger King Corp. when the company attempted to terminate Hungry Jack’s contract due to perceived delays in opening new units. Cowin’s Hungry Jack’s counter-sued for breach of contract, and the New South Wales Supreme Court ruled in his favor, awarding Hungry Jack’s A$71 million in damages.
Leadership and Growth
Under Cowin’s leadership, Competitive Foods Australia was established, becoming one of Australia’s largest privately held businesses with an estimated value of A$350 million. As the Executive Chairman, Cowin has continued to innovate within the fast-food industry. He owns a majority stake in Hungry Jack’s, which operates 360 restaurants in Australia.
Cowin has also expanded his business portfolio with significant investments, including:
- Ownership of Consolidated Foods, a meat processing company exporting globally.
- Stake in Lone Star Texas Grill, a Canadian restaurant chain.
- Significant investments in Australian cattle stations and food processing.
Board Roles and Recognitions
Cowin has served in various capacities on numerous boards, including:
- Non-executive director of TEN Television Network
- Director of Chandler MacLeod and Sydney Olympic Park Authority
- Chairman and largest shareholder of Domino’s Pizza Enterprises
- Director and 40% shareholder of BridgeClimb Sydney, a popular tourist attraction in Sydney
From 2015 to 2019, Cowin served as the Chancellor of the University of Western Ontario, where he was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law in 2000. He contributed funds to establish stands for a new football field named in honor of his father.
Personal Life
Jack Cowin resides in Sydney with his wife, Sharon. They have four children together.
Net Worth
As of May 2023, Cowin’s net worth was estimated at A$4.36 billion, making him the 22nd richest Australian, according to the Financial Review Rich List. Forbes Asia assessed his net worth at US$1.7 billion in 2019, ranking him as the 23rd richest Australian.
Legacy
Jack Cowin is celebrated as a pioneering figure in the fast-food industry, known for introducing KFC to Australia and establishing Hungry Jack’s as a leading franchise. His story reflects innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit, inspiring future generations of business leaders. Cowin’s influence continues to shape the landscape of franchising and the broader food industry in Australia.
