‘Shock’ as Bundaberg Rashays restaurant shuts doors

The founder of an iconic restaurant chain has blamed cost-of-living for the closure this week of another regional outlet less than two years after it opened.

Rashays founder Rami Ykmour says soaring costs on transport and other business necessities are behind the shock closure of the chain’s Bundaberg restaurant less than two years after its fanfare opening.

Rashays founder Rami Ykmour says soaring costs on transport and other business necessities are behind the shock closure of the chain’s Bundaberg restaurant less than two years after its fanfare opening.

Mr Ykmour said Wednesday he was “as shocked” as everyone at the store’s closure, which was announced on social media and via a sign on the door as temporary “until further notice”.

“The cost of everything is going up,” Mr Ykmour said. “It’s put so much pressure on us.

“We have to stop the bleeding.”

The Bundaberg store’s closure on Monday, July 1, less than two years after its August 2022 opening, is the latest in a string of shutdowns for the chain across the state.

The founder of popular restaurant chain Rashays, Rami Ykmour, says the cost-of-living crisis is behind the shock closure of its Bundaberg outlet less than two years after it opened, and only months after the shutting of another regional store.

Maroochydore’s Rashays outlet announced in August 2023 it was closed for renovations, and never reopened.

Its Facebook page continues to state the Sunshine Coast outlet at Aerodrome Rd is “temporarily closed” and “we appreciate your patience and understanding, we hope to open again soon”.

In May 2024, Rashay’s Toowoomba restaurant closed amid confusion, with last minute efforts to keep it afloat failing.

Mr Ykmour has staunchly defended the outlet in an social media rant defending the quality of the Toowoomba store’s food following online criticism.

The Bundaberg outlet’s “temporary” closure was announced in a Facebook post, and in a sign on the door of the restaurant.

In 2022, Rashay’s Toombul restaurant was forced shut after the shopping complex was inundated in the devastating floods.

The centre has since been demolished owing to the extensive damage done by floodwaters.

Mr Ykmour said it “was sad” for the chain, which he and wife Shannon founded in Sydney in 1998.

The Rashays website boasts more than 40 outlets are operating across the country.

Mr Ykmour said Rashays was doing what it could for staff affected by the Bundaberg closure.

There was hope the restaurant would reopen, but this would only happen if business costs could be negotiated or government support, he said.

“The government is doing absolutely nothing to support small businesses,” Mr Ykmour said.

Originally published as ‘Shock’ as Bundaberg Rashays restaurant shuts doors