Restaurant chain collapses in Australia - leaving its future uncertain

High-end steakhouse Botswana Butchery has entered voluntary administration In Australia.

The restaurant chain found success in New Zealand first before expanding to Sydney and Melbourne in 2022.

However, the future of the Australian venture is now uncertain following the appointment of BDO as voluntary administrator by its owner, Good Group Australia, on March 31.

The three Australian restaurants, including Canberra which opened just two months ago, will continue trading for the time being while their viability is assessed.

'The administrators are undertaking an urgent assessment of the companies and if possible, intend to continue trade with a view of facilitating a restructure or going concern sale process in due course,' the BDO statement read.

The business' difficulties come as many in the hospitality industry struggle due to the cost-of-living crisis brought on by inflation, interest rate and rent rises, which has savaged people's disposable income. 

'The administrators will continue to work closely with Good Group Australia's directors, management, staff, and creditors.'

New Zealand operations at Good Group are not affected.

The Sydney location in Martin Place boasts seating for 300 guests across three floors and can accommodate over 900 standing.

In 2022, a review by Terry Durack in the Sydney Morning Herald awarded the restaurant a score of 13 out of 20.

'Botswana is the sort of bustling, conventional steakhouse designed for the kind of business lunch or dinner that used to happen when the CBD had a lot of businesses that did lunch or dinner. At this stage, it has the steak, but we'll have to wait a bit longer for the sizzle,' Durack wrote.

The Melbourne branch on Flinders Lane was rated 14 out of 20 by The Age critic Besha Rodell.

She wrote: 'Is the food any good? Does the service run like a well-greased machine, with headset microphones on the black-clad staff? Is the wine list broad, varied, and even intermittently affordable? Yes, yes, yes.'