For 70 years, the Kermond family original burger patty recipe has remained the same.

Those in charge of the modern-day store are proud the quality has remained and it still holds a special place in the heart of Warrnambool.

As the iconic burger shop celebrated its platinum anniversary on Monday, owner Brett Healey revealed the secret to the company's longevity was its tradition.

"The Kermonds were ahead of the time because nothing's had to change in 70 years," he said.

"We've always kept up with our regulations and haven't had to change how we do things.

"It's all made fresh before your eyes and you get to decide exactly what's in your burgers."

In 1948 John Kermond, his dad Joe and Alex Lucas from Lucas Brothers Butchers developed a patty recipe which has become the famous taste of Warrnambool.

The family worked out of a caravan in a caravan park near Lake Pertobe before moving to the Foreshore until 1957 when the Lava Street store was built.

Jack Daffy was practically a Kermond himself growing up and knows the impact the business has had on the city right from the beginning.

"Kermond's has been part of my life since I was 16," he said,

"It was the first burger I ever ate and I've been eating them ever since.

"I remember Kermond's when it was in a caravan. Back in the day everything closed at 6pm but you would go to one of the picture theatres or to the two dances on in town. Kermond's was the only place open to get food afterwards."

Mr Daffy had nine family members work at Kermond's and through his work Jack's Wishlist, which has provided meals to the less fortunate for 53 years, he knows the importance of the business.

"I had a son living in Alice Springs and whenever someone from Warrnambool went there they'd have to bring him some burgers and he would reheat them," he laughed.

"I think it's one of those businesses that's stood the test of time and it's one of Warrnambool's icons.

"Kermond's has always been very generous in town."

To mark the anniversary customers were treated with $2 junior burgers with bacon on Monday with all proceeds going towards providing premium meat packages from Warrnambool Meat Barn. The packages will be distributed to St Vincent's de Paul and Mr Daffy's Christmas Wishlist to be given to struggling families over Christmas.

A total of 1080 junior burgers were sold with the Kermond's team selling out by 6.30pm.

Mr Healey has been the trusted face behind the counter of Kermond's for 35 years.

He knows everything there is to know about Kermond's and remembers the days when lollies were sold on the counter. Once upon a time tobacco was on the menu and Mr Healey chuckles whenever he tells his new young staff that people were allowed to smoke inside the venue.

Everyday he has a Kermond's burger and after a pensive moment he decided his favourite was egg, bacon, double cheese and double sauce. But the traditional burger with the lot is the shop's most popular.

Along with the Daffy and Kermond families, the Healeys is another Warrnambool family destined to spend time in the Lava Street shop.

"I was one of eight kids and my dad was the first employee at Kermond's outside the Kermond family," Mr Healey said.

"My dad's cousin Margaret was the longest-serving employee for 53 years but I'm out to catch her.

"I started on the onions in 1984 just like everyone does.

"Four generations of Kermonds have worked with the fifth hopefully starting soon and we've had three generations of Healeys through.

"I like the lifestyle Kermond's gives me and I like being the best."

Margaret Healey is the long-serving employee of Kermond's Hamburgers.

For over half a century Ms Healey served the loyal Warrnambool customers and the many tourists who flocked to the store to have a taste of the iconic burger.

"I was about 17 when I started working at Kermond's," she said.

"Someone told me there was a job going and I stayed there ever since.

"I've worked with all the Daffys, all the Kermonds and all of Brett's boys and girls.

"I remember working here when there was no backroom. There was a fridge right across the middle and they did everything behind it.

"The biggest change would have been the change from pounds to dollars and there's been a lot of different workers through."

Ms Healey recalled being run off her feet during the peak tourism seasons as the unbeatable burgers in the 'Bool became common knowledge.

"We were always very busy," she said.

"Families come for holidays every year to Warrnambool and they'd always stop in Kermond's.

"I served them and and people today still ask Brett where I am.

"I stayed for 53 years because I liked all the workers and all the customers were friendly."

Ms Healey hung up her apron in 2008.

With over 30 casual staff a year working Mr Healey has had a few memorable characters through his doors.

"Sam Grayson used to work here and let me listen to his songs with The Androids," he said.

"I remember him playing Do It With Madonna for me.

"I just looked at him and said 'see you later' because I knew it was a hit.

"Right away he was off touring."

Mr Healey said some of the best workers came out of Kermond's because he trained his staff to always be busy.

He said staff had no problem finding a job once moving on from the burger shop because "people know Kermond's workers are good workers".

"It takes about five years to train decent staff and most of our staff stay for that amount of time," he said.

"Johnny Kermond used to say 'if you have time to lean you have time to clean'."

In 2018 Kermond's Hamburgers became a franchise and opened up shop on Geelong's Ryrie Street.

Alongside his business partner and former Warrnambool burger flipper Tim Tanner, Mr Healey said the Geelong store was only the beginning of expansion plans with the pair looking at all options to bring Kermond's to more people in the best way possible.

"The Geelong store is part of our expansion plans," Mr Healey said.

"It's a way for us to test the market.

"We've had calls to take Kermond's to Queensland.

"Everyone wants a Kermond's in their town."

Kermond's word-of-mouth has well and truly paid off with the business claiming numerous tourism and eatery accolades.

"We were ranked 47 on the RACV things to do in Victoria," Mr Healey smiled.

"That goes to show the power of Kermond's.

"Kermond's has always had the same recipe and everyone who's come to Warrnambool has always been told to go to Kermond's."

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