British burger chain falls into administration as bosses shut all however two branches
MEATliquor has called in the administrators as only two stores remain after soaring energy prices and spiralling running costs have pushed the business to the brink
MEATliquor is closing all but two sites(Image: MEATliquor)
A beloved London burger hotspot has gone bust with the once-thriving street food empire falling into administration after years of mounting losses.
Cult-favourite MEATliquor has officially called in the administrators, according to The Gazette, marking a bitter blow for fans of its famous burgers and beers. The chain, run by Meatalier, had built a loyal following among Londoners craving top-tier street food. But soaring energy prices and spiralling running costs have pushed the business to the brink.
In a dramatic downsizing last month, the group closed five of its eight London sites – including branches in Islington, Clapham Junction and Queensway.
Just three venues are still standing – two in Oxford Circus and East Dulwich, plus its sister sports bar, BLOODsports, in Covent Garden.
Founder Scott Collins warned the industry was under intense pressure. He told Restaurant Online: “On top of VAT, rates, beef and energy costs, we’ve now got a new war creating uncertainty and more Tube strikes to deal with.
“We’re in the same position as a lot of others in the industry and I’m just getting ahead of things before we’re forced to.”
The burger brand was first fired up in 2009 by Yianni Papoutsis and business partner Scott Collins.
What started as a humble mobile van, the MEATwagon, quickly turned into a booming restaurant business across London and the South East.
Its first bricks-and-mortar site opened near Oxford Street in 2011, and at its height the chain boasted 13 locations – 12 in the UK and one as far afield as Singapore.
It comes after an Italian bar and restaurant chain plunged into administration after being battered by soaring costs.
Since launching back in 2013, Veeno Bars built a reputation serving up authentic Italian food and drinks across major UK cities. But now, in a dramatic twist, the company has appointed administrators in a desperate bid to stay afloat.
Bosses called in help on April 8 to stop the business going under completely. Founder Nino Caruso told The Sun: “Like many businesses in the UK casual dining sector, we have faced a combination of well-documented market pressures in recent years, including rising operating costs and challenges within the property landscape.
“This process allows us to address those factors, realign the business, and ensure a more sustainable foundation for the future.”
The company was set up 13 years ago by Italian entrepreneurs Nino Caruso and Andrea Zecchino, bringing a taste of Sicily to the UK high street.
