Home Australia Lord of the Fries store in Newtown forced to close

Lord of the Fries store in Newtown forced to close

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Popular fast food chain Lord of the Fries has been forced to close its last remaining store in New South Wales.

Popular fast food chain Lord of the Fries has been forced to close its last remaining store in New South Wales.

A sign posted at the Newtown store indicated the closure and said: “Please note that the owner has regained possession of the premises.”

“Any forced entry will be considered an invasion and will be reported to local authorities.”

Lord of the Fries only serves vegan dishes including loaded fries, veggie burgers, hot dogs, and various sides and breakfast items.

There are still operating stores in South Australia, Queensland and Victoria.

Popular fast food chain Lord of the Fries has been forced to close its last remaining store in New South Wales.

Lord of the Fries only serves vegan dishes including loaded fries, veggie burgers, hot dogs, and a variety of sides and breakfast items.

Lord of the Fries only serves vegan dishes including loaded fries, veggie burgers, hot dogs, and a variety of sides and breakfast items.

The business has been struggling since the Covid-19 pandemic and, in 2020, the first Lord of the Fries store in Melbourne’s CBD was forced to close its doors.

In 2022, Lord of the Fries Property, a crucial leasing entity for franchisees, filed for bankruptcy with a debt of $2 million, largely owed to the owners.

Lord of the Fries co-founder Mark Koronczyk said the Covid lockdowns had been a difficult time for the business.

“The impact of Covid was huge for many of our stores, as it has been across the sector,” he told The Herald Sun in 2022.

Meanwhile, Bruce Craig, the franchise owner of the business in New Zealand, announced last month that he intends to sell the six stores he owns.

“We’ve had a tough couple of years, like everyone else, for sure, and we’ve been working hard to keep the doors open,” Craig said.

“It’s not that it’s been a hugely profitable business, but we feel it will be very soon because the tide is turning again and people are starting to return to their workplaces.”

The business has been struggling since the Covid-19 pandemic and, in 2020, the first Lord of the Fries store in Melbourne's CBD was forced to close its doors.

The business has been struggling since the Covid-19 pandemic and, in 2020, the first Lord of the Fries store in Melbourne’s CBD was forced to close its doors.

WHAT IS THE LORD OF THE FRENCH FRIES?

Lord of the Fries is an Australian and New Zealand fast food chain specializing in vegan cuisine. Originally from Melbourne, it has since expanded to several regions. Their menu features exclusively vegan options, including loaded fries, veggie burgers, hot dogs, and a variety of sides and breakfast items.

The concept began in 2004 as a vegetarian ‘mobile chip van’, traveling around the country until opening its first physical store in Melbourne city center in 2005. Due to its plant-based offerings, all Lord of Fries meals are Kosher and Halal certified. By 2018, all of its restaurants became 100% vegan. The founders and most of the franchisees are also vegan.

In a notable move in 2018, Lord of the Fries partnered with American producer Beyond Meat, supported financially by actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former McDonald’s CEO. This made them the first Australian restaurant chain to offer Beyond Meat plant-based burgers.

Expansion efforts have seen the chain spread across Australia, with stores in almost every state including New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia, as well as several locations in Victoria.

Internationally, Lord of the Fries opened its first international store in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2016. In addition, it has introduced smaller brands spin-offs from its flagship stores, such as ‘Lord of the…’, which offers takeaway to plant base. Homemade macaroni and cheese products.

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