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The essentials: whole charcoal chicken meal with Lebanese pickles, bread, tabouli, garlic dip, and fries.

From Granville to the Australian Open: Inside El Jannah’s ascent to cult chicken chain

It took more than a decade for Lebanese charcoal chicken chain El Jannah to open its second store, but it’s on track to have 100 in two years. Here’s how it got there.

  • Jessica Yun

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Small businesses are being increasingly bogged down by late payments.

Better late than never? The ‘contagion effect’ crippling small businesses

Small businesses employ 5.4 million people and generate a third of Australia’s GDP, but late payments from bigger firms are putting many under financial strain.

  • Cindy Yin
ABS data shows there are fewer small businesses than when Labor came to office.

Small business in ‘recession’ as public service thrives

The Coalition claims Australia is adding a public servant for every small business lost. Labor says that’s misleading.

  • Millie Muroi
“We’ve got open communication, respect for each other and patience”, says Le Tet.

‘To keep the dream alive, you have to be creative’: Restaurant roommates are surviving (and thriving)

Several Melbourne hospitality ventures are splitting rent and utilities to reduce costs, build community and reach out to new customers.

  • Dani Valent
Elizabeth’s Secondhand Bookshop is withdrawing from the Perth CBD.

End of an era as Elizabeth’s Bookshop retreats from Perth CBD

Its dark green-and-white decor has been an institution in Perth city for more than 30 years. But as foot traffic falls, the local landmark has made its choice.

  • Emma Young
Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton greets people as he departs from a Liberal Party campaign rally in the seat of Chisholm, Melbourne, Sunday, January 12, 2025. (AAP Image/Diego Fedele) NO ARCHIVING AFR NEWS. FEE APPLIES ONE-TIME USE ONLY. 

Dutton pledges tax breaks, as Mundine camp declares ‘war’ over failed Liberal preselection

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will promise tax offsets for business lunches in his first commitment of the election year, but he faces internal party instability.

  • Paul Sakkal
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The rising cost of coffee.

Charge $7 for a coffee? Some stressed-out cafe owners would rather shut down

Stuck between soaring business costs and reduced consumer spending, cafe owners are in a “Mexican stand-off”, says Pablo & Rusty’s CEO.

  • Jessica Yun
Supermarkets would have to offer cash payments to customers but bottle shops not under a planned cash mandate.

Cash will remain king in the supermarket – but not at the bottle-o

The government is mandating cash for essential services across the country. Supermarkets and petrol stations are in – but bottle shops and cafes are out.

  • Shane Wright
Woman holding We Are Closed sign.

The Perth suburbs where small businesses are struggling (and where they thrive in WA)

Small businesses in regional WA suburbs are thriving, whilst those closer to Perth are struggling to operate longer than a year. Here’s why.

  • Holly Thompson
Carriage owner Dean Crichton and assistant Shania Willemsen with customers Tracey Mallia, in peach top, her husband Tony Mallia, daughter Tanya Hilder and grandchildren Fletcher and Harper .

Hot to trot: The Christmas tour lighting up faces in Melbourne’s south-east

Nightly horse and carriage tours, which wind through the streets of Pakenham, have been popular in the lead-up to Christmas for several years.

  • Carolyn Webb

Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/topic/small-business-hva