Nearly 300 jobs lost as burger restaurant chain shuts down

The Burger Chain, trading as Handmade Burger Company, has ceased trading.

David Griffiths, Conrad Beighton and Paul Masters of Leonard Curtis Business Rescue & Recovery were appointed Joint Administrators of The Burger Chain Limited earlier today.

In a statement, the administrators explained: “Unfortunately, despite considerable efforts to secure a sale of the Company’s business, this has not been possible, and all 18 restaurants have today closed with the loss of 283 jobs.”

The business had three of its 18 restaurants in Yorkshire, including a branch at the Trinity Centre in Leeds, a restaurant in Paragon Street, Hull and a restaurant in Meadowhall, Sheffield.

Joint Administrator David Griffiths said: “The casual dining market in the UK has experienced significant challenges over the last four years, largely as a result of overcapacity in the sector, which has resulted in a significant number of insolvencies.

“Sales at Handmade Burger Co restaurants have almost halved during this period, which has proved to be unsustainable. It is disappointing that circumstances have meant that a sale of the business has not been possible in this case, but our focus now should be on those employees affected by this difficult news.

“We will work hard to provide them with all necessary assistance to claim for monies which remain due to them.”

The administration is being undertaken by the Birmingham office of Leonard Curtis Business Rescue & Recovery, 85-89 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2BB.

Leonard Curtis Business Rescue & Recovery is part of the Leonard Curtis Business Solutions Group (LCBSG).