On the brink of collapse: George Calombaris holds crisis talks over crumbling empire
The restaurant empire of former MasterChef Australia judge George Calombaris is on the verge of collapse, according to reports.
The business, Made Establishment, will meet this afternoon to decide whether to appoint a voluntary administrator, as reported by The Age and the Herald Sun.
The decision could jeopardise the jobs of 500 employees – but they will be fully compensated if the restaurants decide to close their doors for good.
The development comes six months after the company was embroiled in an underpayment scandal, which garnered negative media attention especially for Calombaris.
A Fair Work investigation into Made Establishment discovered it had underpaid over 500 workers a colossal $7.8 million.
Calombaris issued an apology and was ordered to make a $200,000 “contrition payment”.
Shortly after, Calombaris lost his biggest gig of all after Channel 10 dumped the celebrity chef from his role on MasterChef due to the scandal.
Made Establishment is comprised of 18 Greek restaurants and fast-food outlets, all based in Melbourne.
The business incorporates Greek street food joints Gazi and Jimmy Grants, and Brunswick East eatery Hellenic Republic, recently rebranded as Crofter Dining Room.