Ritzy CBD burger chain ‘Benny Burger’ placed into administration
Celebrity chef Shannon Bennett’s year has gone from bad to worse, with his high-end ‘Benny Burger’ restaurant chain shutting down for good.
VIC News
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Chef Shannon Bennett’s tumultuous year has continued with the ritzy CBD burger joint he named after his dad being placed into administration.
The Herald Sun in May first reported trouble at the Benny Burger chain when “For lease” signs suddenly appeared on the Swan St premises in Richmond.
But paperwork reveals owners — including Bennett and partners Far East organisation — last month decided to voluntarily wind up the CBD establishment in Little Collins St.
Documents lodged with the corporate regulator show he owes $132,668 to suppliers and $35,897 to the Australian Taxation Office.
Vue Group in a statement told the Herald Sun it had made the commercial decision to exit the Benny Burger brand due to a shift in priorities.
“Vue Group remains focused on providing aspirational guest experiences through its diverse portfolio of venues and is confident the aforementioned change will deliver a stronger platform for growth in the future.”
“All staff entitlements have been paid in full. Any amounts owing to suppliers will be settled in full as per the standard payment terms.”
It comes after the future of Bennett’s CBD live music venue — Geddes Lane Ballroom — was last month cast in doubt, with event organisers claiming their planned events have been cancelled by the venue’s operators.
A spokesperson for Bennett’s Vue Group at the time strenuously denied the claims that the venue had closed, saying that the ballroom’s business model had changed and it would now only run “private events, such as album launches and one off events, tour dates and such”.
Benny was launched in June 2017. The burger venue was supposed to provide an “ethical burger” that emphasised sustainable and organic produce. The name pays tribute to Bennett’s dad, Benny.
While a tasting menu at Bennett’s top line Vue de Monde can cost $275, the most expensive item at Benny’s was the “No Apologies Double Cheeseburger” at $17.90.
It has been a tough 12 months for the 43-year-old.
In August last year, Playing For Keeps actor Madeleine West confirmed her separation from Bennett after 13 years. The couple has six children.
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The couple have since reportedly rekindled the marriage and are in living in Byron Bay.
In March this year, the celebrity couple’s house at 5 Bruce St, Kensington, sold for $2.265 million. Bennett and West sold a high-end Lorne property for $4.025 million in October last year, according to CoreLogic, and a South Yarra manor for $9.78 million in late 2017.
It is understood the Benny Burger in the Melbourne CBD at Normanby Chambers will stay open, alongside other Bennett venues including Barista by Vue and seafood restaurant Iki-jime by Vue.