Fulham Broadway's Gourmet Burger Kitchen Closes Its Doors
Abrupt departure for restaurant judged 'unviable' by struggling chain
As predicted, Fulham Broadway's Gourmet Burger Kitchen has closed its doors.
It is one of the chain's first batch of ten restaurants to shut down across the country, after being categorised as 'unviable'.
There was no warning of the Fulham's restaurant abrupt closure this week, and all traces of its identity, including the Gourmet Burger King sign, have already been removed.
It was revealed earlier this month that the branch was among 17 restaurants earmarked for potential closure after the chain initiated a Company Voluntary Arrangement, or CVA, which allows companies to close unprofitable branches and renegotiate expensive leases with landlords.
A CVA is a step short of going into administration and is a route that has been taken by a number of struggling restaurant chains recently including Carluccio’s, Jamie’s Italian and rival burger chain Byron.
The restaurants categorised as 'unviable' even after rent reductions included Fulham and Soho, plus 15 other sites across the country.
Altogether this could affect 250 staff members, though the chain says it would make every effort to relocate them.
Nearby restaurants which are not included on the list include Westfield, Putney, Earls Court and Chiswick.
Gourmet Burger Kitchen, which is owned by South Africa's Famous Brands, GBK operates about 80 restaurants in the UK and employs 2,000 people.
Last month, it admitted the chain admitted to a £47 million loss amid tough trading conditions.
Managing director Derrian Nadauld said the chain faced a "challenging casual dining" market and its rental payments were too high.
"We are having to take tough but necessary actions to reduce our fixed cost base and restore long-term profitability," he said. "This will provide greater security for our staff, suppliers, landlords and customers."
November 30, 2018