Ballarat detectives, along with members from the Armed Crime taskforce are investigating an armed robbery which occurred at a KFC store located on Sturt Street, Ballarat early this morning.
Two men armed with a firearm are believed to have been waiting nearby for the arrival of the morning shift employee around 5am.
The offenders have then forced the employee to allow them access to the restaurant where they have gained entry to a safe and removed a sum of money.
The offenders shortly after fled the scene leaving the victim tied up and are yet to be identified.
The offenders were wearing black hoodies, dark pants and runners.
They had balaclavas covering their faces and their hoods pulled up over their heads.