For many Brisbane diners, a meal at Cha Cha Char was more than a steak dinner. It was where business lunches were held, milestones were celebrated and visitors experienced a city whose food scene was coming into its own. Behind much of that rhythm was John “Killer” Kilroy.
Born on a grazing property in western Queensland, Kilroy brought his country roots into a hospitality career that spanned more than four decades. He became one of the restaurateurs credited with helping shape Brisbane’s dining culture by championing Queensland beef, supporting local producers and creating venues that became part of the city’s story.
Now, Kilroy is being remembered not only for the restaurants he built, but for the influence he had on Brisbane’s hospitality industry.
Kilroy died at the age of 73 after being reported missing in Brisbane on Monday, 29 June 2026. Queensland Police said officers found the body of a 73-year-old man in a car park near Howard Street in Brisbane City after receiving a missing person’s report earlier that day. Police said the death is not being treated as suspicious and that a report will be prepared for the coroner.
A country upbringing shaped his philosophy
Kilroy believed diners should know where their food came from, especially the beef that became the centrepiece of his restaurants. He was among the early Brisbane restaurateurs to identify the properties supplying the beef on his menus, strengthening the connection between Queensland producers and the dining experience.
Over more than 40 years, he owned and operated pubs, restaurants and function venues across Queensland, earning respect for his business knowledge and commitment to customer service.
The restaurant that became a Brisbane landmark
When Cha Cha Char opened at Eagle Street in 1997, Brisbane’s restaurant scene was growing rapidly. Over the next two decades, the steakhouse became one of the city’s best-known dining destinations, welcoming business leaders, politicians, visiting celebrities, interstate travellers and families marking special occasions.
Kilroy combined premium Australian beef with attentive service and a welcoming atmosphere. After selling Cha Cha Char in 2020, he retired to Hervey Bay, leaving behind a restaurant that had become closely associated with Brisbane hospitality.
Tributes reflect a career built on respect
The tributes that followed news of Kilroy’s death reflected the regard he earned throughout Queensland’s hospitality industry.
Long-time friend and fellow restaurateur Andy Georges remembered operating alongside Kilroy at Eagle Street, describing him as someone who valued friendship over rivalry.
Hairdressing entrepreneur Steve “Stefan” Ackerie remembered Kilroy as a generous and colourful host whose restaurants reflected his personality.
Gambaro Group director John Gambaro described Kilroy as one of the pioneers who helped shape Brisbane’s restaurant industry, while former employees, customers and fellow hospitality workers remembered him as someone who gave people opportunities and made a lasting impression.
His final days in Brisbane
Media reports said Kilroy had been staying with friends in Brisbane while receiving cancer treatment.
Friends quoted in those reports said he went for a walk on Sunday evening but did not return, prompting a missing person’s report and a police search.
A lasting place in Brisbane’s story
John Kilroy’s legacy extends well beyond the restaurants he owned. It lives on in the Queensland producers he supported, the hospitality professionals whose careers crossed his path and the memories created by thousands of diners who gathered around his tables.
Published 1-July-2026
