Chocolate and hamburgers make for an unlikely combination. As a result of the recent collapse of the Koko Black chain, the saviour of chocolate lovers across Australia appears to be the rapidly expanding Grill’d burger chain.

News of Koko Black’s troubles first emerged in November. The chain – which originated in Melbourne in 2003 – had grown to 14 stores across the country. Recent expansion into New Zealand made for exciting times, and many were surprised to learn of the chocolatier’s financial woes.

Grill’d is a very different proposition. The highly successful chain operates in 80 locations across Australia. Founder Scott Crowe has taken control of the Koko from Deloitte and, while the chocolate stores will be operated separately to the burger chain, staff must be relieved to be under the control of someone who knows how to manage a large number of outlets.

However, the news isn’t all good. Fairfax reports that three of the 14 Koko Black stores will be closed under the new management. We wouldn’t be surprised if Canberra’s store – located in Canberra Centre with a Bunda Street shopfront – is one of those stores. With the city’s Grill’d store only metres away on the other side of Scott’s Crossing, it would be a cruel blow to watch the shutters go up on Koko as the busy little burger store continues to trade well.