Crema Espresso owner Antony Forbutt clears out Bundall drive-through store on Gold Coast ahead of new tenant moving in

A premises subject of a bitter dispute between a landlord and the operator of a coffee shop is being cleared to make way for a new drive-through fast food outlet.

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BUNDALL shop premises that are the subject of a court dispute between the landlord and former tenant are being cleared to make way for a Mexican fast-food chain.

The shop at 88 Bundall Rd was home to a Crema Espresso drive-through outlet run by Crema managing director Antony Forbutt and opened in March 2018.

The property, which contained a Freedom Service station next to the coffee shop, is owned by Romolo Bos.

In May last year Mr Forbutt filed an application with the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal alleging Mr Bos had breached the terms of the lease agreement by allowing barista-made coffee to be sold from the Freedom station.

Crema Expresso managing director Antony Forbutt

Mr Bos responded on July 19 by locking the doors to the Crema shop, alleging in return that he was owed $185,000 in unpaid rent.

A mediation session for the two parties failed to resolve the dispute and it remained unresolved.

Mr Bos, through a spokesman, said it would be inappropriate to comment while the matter is before QCAT.

Mr Forbutt on Monday said he was able to clear out his kitchen equipment from the store to enable the new tenant to occupy the premises.

Landlord Romolo Bos locked the doors to the Crema Espresso coffee shop at 88 Bundall Rd in July last year.

“With QCAT it is still sitting there,” he said.

“We had the last contact in June for directions.”

Mr Forbutt said the shop was to become a new outlet for Guzman y Gomez – a fast-growing Mexican casual dining restaurant chain.

The Bulletin contacted GYG which confirmed it has signed a lease for the store.

GYG Queensland development director Humberto Maradiegue last year announced plans to roll out new drive-through outlets in southeast Queensland with 12 targeted for 2020 and 2021.

It opened Queensland’s first drive-through store in Nerang in 2015 and had eight outlets on the Gold Coast.

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