By Matthew Sims
The Beaconsfield Carl’s Jr store would continue with business as usual following 24 other stores across the country being placed into voluntary administration.
The licensee of Carl’s Jr restaurants in Australia CJ’s QSR Group Pty Ltd (CJQSR) entered voluntary administration on Monday 29 July, with KPMG Australia’s David Hardy, George Georges and Emily Seeckts appointed as voluntary administrators of CJQSR and certain subsidiaries, collectively known as the CJ’s Group.
CJQSR independently owns and operates 24 Carl’s Jr restaurants, while it also serves as the master licensee to 25 restaurants which are independently owned and operated by third-party sub-licensees, which includes the Beaconsfield store.
Based on the initial stages of the voluntary administration, the voluntary administrators would continue to trade four of the owned and operated CJ’s Group restaurants, including the Dandenong South store, with 20 restaurants to closed immediately.
KPMG would transition the 25 sublicensed restaurants to a direct licensed relationship with CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc, with minimal changes to operations expected.
The first Carl’s Jr. Australia restaurant opened in Bateau Bay in New South Wales in 2016, with the Beaconsfield store opening in January at 215 Princes Highway in Beaconsfield.
Zamm Enterprises franchisee Mark Van Delft said the Beaconsfield store would continue to run as a local family-run franchise.
“We would like to reassure you that we remain open for business and are not affected by the recent store closures,” he said.
“During this period, we are still committed to supporting our local community and help by hiring staff who have been impacted by these closures.
“We appreciate your patience and understanding as we transition through this phase and strive to serve you better.”
According to a CKE spokesperson, they were working closely with the administrators, CJQSR and other interested parties to work through the process towards minimising the impact to employees, consumers and the Carl’s Jr brand in Australia.
“CKE is committed to the people and the brand in the Australian market, and we have an exceptional community of independent licensees operating our restaurants across the country,” the spokesperson said.
KPMG Australia restructuring services partner David Hardy said their initial focus would be on stablising the operations of CJ’s Group.
“We will be conducting an immediate sale process of the existing store network and operations,” he said.
“We will be working with all stakeholders, including employees, suppliers and landlords, to maximise the outcome for all parties.”
KPMG has scheduled a meeting with creditors on Wednesday 7 August, with suppliers, customers, landlords and other key stakeholders to be contacted in the coming days.
