West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson avoids questions about purchasing Hungry Jack’s Carlisle and South Perth

West Coast coach Adam Simpson has fended off questions about his purchase of two local Hungry Jack’s stores as “nothing to do with coaching”. The West Australian revealed on Thursday the Eagles coach had purchased two local stores from Hungry Jack’s, which is the club’s co-major sponsor. “I don’t find it a public issue,” Simpson said. “How are your businesses going?’ “I don’t really want to talk about it. It’s not an invasion of privacy but it’s got nothing to do with coaching, that’s a personal thing I’m working through.” An Australian Securities and Investment Commission search revealed Simpson Promotions Pty Ltd, which lists the Eagles coach as director, purchased Hungry Jack’s Carlisle in September 2020 and the South Perth franchise in May of this year. It is estimated franchisees need access to $1.3m in funds, as well as another $1.3m in borrowings, to purchase a Hungry Jack’s store. One Hungry Jack’s store is listed for sale in Melbourne at $2.6m, but the prices of the franchises differ according to location and earnings. The average franchise returns an estimated $200,000 in profit a year. Hungry Jack’s, the Australian arm of Burger King, was introduced into Australia by Jack Cowin, who opened the first store in Innaloo in 1971. According to the annual report of Cowin’s parent company, Competitive Foods Australia, the group generates more than $1.7 billion in annual revenue from more than 440 company owned and franchised stores, making $100m in profit in the 2021-22 financial year. Simpson’s purchases suggested he will see out his West Coast contract, which runs til the end of 2025, with speculation ever-present he will not see out the deal as the big losses mount. The Eagles have suffered a club record 15 losses in a row and four defeats by over 100 points. Those defeats included their worst ever loss, by 171 points, to Sydney in round 15, the fourth largest margin in AFL/VFL history. That followed a two-win season in 2022 whn the club avoided the wooden spoon only on percentage. But because of AFL soft cap rules, could cost the Eagles around $3 million to sack. Simpson has repeatedly said he is in the job for the long haul and under the AFL’s soft cap rules, it would cost the club about $3million to remove him prematurely. The Eagles issued a statement on Wednesday saying it was “a private business arrangement negotiated independently of the club and the AFL is aware of it”. An AFL spokesperson said it did not comment on personal business matters.