Two companies in liquidation after Hunky Dory franchisee stoush and new business locked out over rent

Plans of a high profile fish and chips chain to scale into other states have taken a battering, with stores at Byron Bay and the Gold Coast closed and two companies in liquidation.

Plans of a high profile fish and chips chain to scale into other states have taken a battering, with stores at Byron Bay and the Gold Coast closed and two companies in liquidation.

Hunky Dory has proven popular in its home state of Victoria, known for its healthy take on the beachside staple with a menu including vegetables, brown rice and plant-based options.

The brand cast its first net interstate with a store in Byron Bay in 2019 before hooking another one in Palm Beachin June 2020.

Hunky Dory stores at Palm Beach and Byron Bay have closed.

Both stores were being managed by Byron wellness guru Tory Trewhitt, 50, and wife Fiona, with the Gold Coast store directed and owned by Mouhammad Merhabi, 33.

Two of Mr Merhabi’s companies – GNS Network and Fish On Group – have been placed into voluntary liquidation in the past week.

Hunky Dory vanished from Palm Beach in June 2023 and was replaced by Fish on Fourth, operated by Mr Merhabi’s GNS company and sporting a similar menu to its predecessor.

It operated as Fish on Fourth for less than nine months before being locked out after its landlord at Pavilions Shopping Centre said it was behind on rent.

The company behind Fish on Fourth, Fish On Group, was behind on the rent.

Mouhammad "Moe" Merhabi.

The Bulletin has attempted to contact Mr Merhabi, who is sole director and shareholder of both companies in liquidation.

Meanwhile, Mr Merhabi has been linked to another Gold Coast restaurant, Kings Steak & Seafood on Frank St in Labrador.

The ABN for Fish On Group, one of Mr Merhabi’s companies in liquidation, was used to register the website for Kings, which was still trading as usual this week.

The restaurant had previously traded as Seven Brothers Steakhouse. Management of Kings did not return the Bulletin’s call.

Tory Trewhitt at Hunky Dory.

Liquidator Michael Caspaney said his investigations were at an early stage, so the amount of debt owed by the companies was unknown.

The Byron Bay Hunky Dory was advertised for sale in 2021, with a price guide of $650,000.

Mr Trewhitt said the store was sold to a local operator as a standalone business outside the Hunky franchise.

He said the Palm Beach store had still been a profitable Hunky Dory when he sold his share to Mr Merhabi in 2021 and he did not know what had happened there since as he was no longer involved.

Hunky Dory launched in 2004 at Melbourne, where it currently has 16 stores which remain operational.

The chain was founded by Greg Robotis, who the Gold Coast Bulletin has contacted for comment.