Eight underperforming restaurants owned by American restaurant operator Brinker International Inc. have been placed into administration.
All of the UK-based restaurants: SIX Chilli's Grill & Bar, one Romano's Macaroni Grill and one Maggiano's Little Italy, which are run by UK subsidiary Hatfield Restaurants Ltd, have been closed. All of the staff at these outlets has lost their jobs.
One Chilli restaurant faced allegations of poor food hygiene and preparation standards, and representatives from Brinkers' office in Shropshire were due to appear in the Reading Magistrate court but the case was adjourned.
MCR are looking for buyers for the property and the catering assets, after closing the restaurants following the move into administration.
Brinkers International opened its first restaurant in the UK in 1995. The group will consider re-establishing restaurants in Britain when the economy is more stable.
Brinker has about 200 restaurants in 29 countries outside the US. It also owns the On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina group.
