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In the family-oriented suburb of Ashburton, Melbourne, stands Mr Burton, a bustling cafe offering a warm embrace of community and flavour. Run by brothers Nadeem and Feroz Hassan, Mr Burton embodies their belief in the power of good food and genuine connections. As second-generation restaurateurs, their passion began in their father’s kitchen in India and has evolved through years of fine-tuning their approach to hospitality and cuisine.
A family legacy of hospitality
Nadeem’s deep-rooted connection to the food industry began in childhood, alongside his father, an executive chef for Marriott Hotels who later established his own venues. The industry is in Nadeem’s DNA, having absorbed a lifetime of lessons from his father and older brother, Feroz. “Hospitality has always been my passion and dream, as I have seen my family involved in it for over 50 years,” he shared.
When the brothers took over Mr Burton, they had a clear vision: not just to keep it running but to elevate it within the community. “We quickly recognised that Mr Burton stands as a pillar in the Ashburton community and we wanted to amplify that,” Nadeem explained. “Coming from a family of restaurateurs and old-school operators, our aim was unreasonable hospitality. The kind where you go above and beyond.”
Mr Burton has since become a welcoming gathering place where families spanning generations come to celebrate life’s moments – and where new relationships begin. “We have had the pleasure to watch people have first dates,” Nadeem said.
Day and night dining: Two experiences, one vision
Transforming Mr Burton into a community haven involved creating a dynamic, dual experience. By day, it’s all about European-style breakfast, lunch and coffee. Signature dishes like Chilli Scrambled Eggs and the Steak Sanga are local legends, drawing in breakfast and brunch enthusiasts. Come evening, Mr Burton shifts into an Italian dinner destination, serving authentic favourites like Burton Al Gamberi (garlic prawns with fresh chilli and cherry tomatoes) and Chicken Involtini (stuffed chicken breast with sundried tomatoes and prosciutto).
Nadeem’s personal daytime favourite happens to be the Chilli Scrambled Eggs, where Thai chilli is sautéed in oil before being added to the eggs. “It isn’t one of those chilli scrambles that just has a hint of chilli – it will really wake you up.” His top choice for dinner, the lovingly handmade Arancini, is so popular that the team can barely keep up with customer demand.
Creating seamless service with modern tools
The brothers’ commitment to great service extends to how they run their business. Switching from an outdated system to Square has brought a new level of efficiency and modernity. Mr Burton utilises Square for Restaurants and Square Register for most of its transactions, gift card sales and takeaway app integration, as well as running close-of-day and real-time reports.
“Square Register is our main register at the shop. Right in front in all its glory,” Nadeem pointed out, appreciating how the sleek design complements the cafe’s aesthetics. Square Terminal adds further flexibility, whether for table service or mobile catering, helping reduce congestion at the counter and keeping service efficient. Even the ice cream cart benefits from the device’s portability, making it a handy addition for events.
With 40 seats indoors and another 40 in the courtyard, having Square Stand at the courtyard’s waiter station has helped reduce staff fatigue. “This really helps the staff to avoid making the trip back to the bar where the register is and push orders through the system in a heartbeat,” Nadeem said, noting that it allows staff to focus more on details and meaningful interactions with guests.
For events, a second Square Stand is set up in the courtyard, turning it into a private bar where attendees can order effortlessly and pay as they go with contactless and chip + PIN. “It’s simple and easy, and we can essentially run an event in the courtyard and still run full service indoors with no hassle whatsoever,” Nadeem shared.
Staff-friendly tech: A smooth transition
Training staff on Square was seamless – and even energising. “Most of my staff have worked at other shops where they had Square, and they were so excited when we switched,” Nadeem shared. The simple interface made for a smooth transition, with staff adapting almost immediately. “We did not have to change anything about the way we do things. The system pretty much adapted itself to us.”
Features like the online Square Dashboard give Nadeem a clear and comprehensive view of the business, from sales trends to staff performance, helping him manage the cafe efficiently. “As an owner, I need to make sure I am working on business growth and not spending time troubleshooting or adding menu items. Square allows me to do that.”
Future aspirations for Mr Burton
With the new Italian dinner service taking off, the Hassan brothers have big plans ahead, including hosting more events, introducing a beer garden and potentially opening additional venues by 2025. Yet central to it all is a commitment to the essence of hospitality – making every guest feel genuinely welcomed, like family. It’s a philosophy instilled in Nadeem from a young age.
“I remember asking my father when I was young, why is the kitchen called back of house and the waiters’ part front of house? He explained that in a restaurant, there are no customers – there are guests, and you have guests over at your house.”
