UK Burger Chain MEATliquor Falls Into Administration, Closes All But Two Branches

Gate News message, April 16 — MEATliquor, a London-based burger chain, has officially called in administrators after soaring energy prices and spiralling operating costs pushed the business to the brink. The chain now operates only two remaining locations in Oxford Circus and East Dulwich, plus a sister sports bar, BLOODsports, in Covent Garden.

In March, the group closed five of its eight London sites, including branches in Islington, Clapham Junction, and Queensway. Founder Scott Collins 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 chain was founded in 2009 by Yianni Papoutsis and Scott Collins as a mobile food van, MEATwagon, before opening its first brick-and-mortar location near Oxford Street in 2011. At its peak, MEATliquor operated 13 locations across the UK and Singapore.

The closure reflects broader pressures facing the UK casual dining sector. Italian restaurant and bar chain Veeno Bars also entered administration on April 8, citing rising operating costs and property challenges as key factors.