Popular restaurant chain closes ALL sites after going bust with staff left unpaid

Eat the Bird, known for its award-winning fried chicken burgers, has closed all three of its locations in Exeter, Taunton and Cardiff after entering liquidation on July 22. The decision brings an end to nearly a decade of trading.

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The company had built a strong following and a loyal customer base, but rising costs and mounting debts proved too much to overcome. The shutdown took place immediately, catching both staff and customers by surprise.

Liquidators confirmed the closures came after the business was no longer able to meet its financial obligations, including payments to suppliers. All operations have now ceased as the company’s assets are being wound down.

The sudden closure marks the end of a business that had expanded from a single site to three locations across England and Wales.

The company's collapse stems from unpaid debts to its meat supplier, Fairfax Meadow Europe Ltd. A court order now mandates that the restaurant must settle these outstanding payments using its remaining assets.

Several employees have yet to receive their final wages following the abrupt closure. Owner Daniel Aldridge acknowledged the situation, stating: "Some staff haven't been paid yet, but they will be."

He assured affected workers that resolution efforts are underway. "I am working closely with one of the directors, and we are working hard to get the situation sorted," Aldridge told the Somerset County Gazette.

The financial obligations to both the supplier and staff members highlight the severity of the company's monetary difficulties. The liquidation process will determine how creditors and employees are compensated from available assets.

Aldridge blamed the restaurant's demise on pandemic-related challenges and escalating operational expenses.

He said: "We were weighed down by the hidden nasties post-COVID."

The founder expressed frustration about the current business climate, describing the experience as "like swimming up a stream of treacle and everyone is throwing rocks at you."

He emphasised that numerous factors beyond customer footfall contributed to the closure.

Aldridge added: "People say 'cor Eat The Bird is really busy' and 'they must be doing well', but in reality, we are very much of the opinion that times are really tough at the moment."

He also highlighted the broader impact on Taunton's high street, noting the proliferation of empty shops requiring entrepreneurs to revitalise them.

Eat the Bird began as a single outlet in Taunton in April 2017, founded by Aldridge who had previously operated a fish and chip van at festivals and events. The business expanded significantly in 2022, opening branches in Exeter and Cardiff.

The chain gained industry recognition for its innovative menu items, which featured humorous names alongside locally sourced beverages and milkshakes.

Its crowning achievement came in 2023 when the "Chicktator" burger won the Street Food Championships' "Street Food Dish of the Year" award.

Aldridge, who abandoned university after his first lecture to pursue cooking, had spent over a decade developing his fried chicken burger concept. The restaurant marketed itself as offering the "best fried chicken burgers" in its operating areas.