Pekish restaurants in liquidation owing $239,000 in superannuation

A family-owned restaurant franchise has been placed into liquidation, with one of its local eateries owing $239,000 in superannuation.

Geelong restaurant Pekish, which operated inside the City of Geelong Bowls Club has recently been placed in liquidation. Picture: Facebook

A family-owned restaurant franchise that had businesses in Geelong and Melbourne has been placed into liquidation owing hundreds of thousands of dollars in superannuation.

Pekish, which lists Yarraville man David Wertiechowski as its sole director, had restaurants in North Geelong, Queenscliff, Altona and Newport.

Pekish, which operated under the company name Coastal Food Group locally and had an outlet at the City of Geelong Bowls Club, owed money to its employees as well as goods and services to others.

According to Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) documents, Pekish at the City of Geelong Bowls Club in North Geelong owed $239,000 in superannuation and $95,000 to the tax office.

According to the ASIC documents, the City of Geelong Bowls Club also owed $50,000 to the restaurant.

Pekish at Williamstown, which operated under the company name Da Fine Food Group Pty Ltd and had an outlet at a Newport club, did not owe any money to its employees, but owed $257,000 to the tax office.

The restaurant at Queenscliff operated within the Vue Grand but stopped trading in 2020 due to Covid.

The eatery at Altona operated within the Kooringal Golf Club but stopped trading in November 2021 when its five-year contract with the club ended.

Scott Andersen of Worrells was appointed liquidator of the Geelong and Williamstown businesses on last week.

A spokeswoman for Worrells said the Geelong company stopped trading out of the bowls club in February when the lease was terminated and that the Williamstown company stopped trading in Newport in 2018.

The North Geelong restaurant was located inside the bowls club on the corner of Church St and Ballarat Rd.

According to ASIC documents, it was first registered in May 2018.

The restaurant and function venue offered pub style food, had a fully operational bar and provided a versatile space which catered to various events and gatherings.

In a 2019 article, it was revealed that the business had been running for eight years and had 70 staff across three venues.

According to an advertisement, the North Geelong restaurant prided itself on delivering exceptional dining experiences and top-notch catering services

Mr Wertiechowski and the City of Geelong Bowls Club were contacted for comment.

Originally published as Pekish restaurants in liquidation owing $239,000 in superannuation