PHOTO: Lord of the Fries vegan stores. SUPPLIED
The company that introduced the vegan fast food chain Lord of the Fries to New Zealand has gone into liquidation. Outlets in Snickel Lane and Karangahape Road in Auckland, Cuba Street in Wellington, Hamilton East, and Queenstown have already closed. Stores in Christchurch and Auckland’s Botany Town Centre remain open under different ownership. Chip Lord NZ Limited, established by Bruce and Baksho Craig in 2016, was placed in liquidation on June 12. The Craigs announced their move to Australia to focus on grandparent duties in April.
Rahul Sunilkumar, co-owner of the Botany store, stated that their store is not owned by Chip Lord NZ and continues to operate, despite business fluctuations typical in the current hospitality climate.
Bruce Craig acquired the New Zealand master franchise rights in 2016, opening the first store at 1 Queen Street, Auckland, followed by another on Karangahape Road, and a third in Queenstown in 2018. At its peak, there were seven stores, including in Hamilton and Wellington.
The chain was up for sale earlier this year for $1.2 million but faced significant impacts from the shift to remote work during the Covid-19 pandemic. Five other companies linked to the brand also entered liquidation on June 12, with Victoria Toon appointed as liquidator. Creditors have until July 12 to file claims.
Baksho and Bruce Craig brought opened their first Lord of the Fries outlet in 2016.SUPPLIED / SUPPLIED
SOURCE: STUFF