More than 100 workers have lost their jobs as a Queensland burger joint announces mass closures in the face of soaring costs.
Key points:
- Popular Queensland fast food franchise Getta Burger has announced mass closures
- Its company director says soaring costs had made their branches financially unviable
- A total of 107 workers have lost their jobs in the lead up to Christmas
Getta Burger has closed 14 of its Queensland stores, with only three branches in Townsville, North Ward and Kirwan remaining open.
Company director Brent Poulter said the stores were no longer financially viable due to skyrocketing costs and problems hiring staff.
"Things are tough for everyone, and as much as I tried I couldn't see a way to keep our great standards and keep the business going," Mr Poulter said.
"Small businesses nationwide are grappling with soaring rents, increased costs, and staffing hurdles — without any support at all."
He said the stores faced a 30 per cent surge in power bills in the past year
"And seemingly small items like potato chips saw a 300 per cent price hike, along with increased costs for frying oil, packaging, utilities, and shipping," he said.
"This all comes at a cost."
A liquidator has been appointed for Mr Poulter's six companies, which also run Cach Song Vietnamese Coffee and OnlyFries in Capalaba.
The liquidator, Ian Currie of BRI Ferrier, said 107 Getta Burger workers had lost their jobs.
Several former workers took to social media, expressing disbelief that they had not been told about the decision until they turned up to work on Thursday morning.
Mr Poulter said the franchise voluntarily went without government assistance during the COVID pandemic and had absorbed the losses.
He said he would have had to reduce the quality of his burgers in order to remain financially viable.
"We don't want to sell inferior meat and charge the same price," he said.
"As many businesses know too well, it becomes difficult to carry increasing costs and not pass them on to you, our customers.
"I want to express my sincere gratitude to all employees, customers and suppliers who have been a part of the Getta Burger story."
The closed stores are in Capalaba, Clayfield, North Lakes, Cannon Hill, Victoria Point, West End, Bridgeman Downs, Carina, Springfield Lakes, Holmview, Yamanto and Yatala.