“It is business as usual while the administrators from Jirsch and Sutherland are conducting a review of operations.

 

“The move comes as part of a wider company review, which will see the organisation focus on supporting the growth of its franchise-operated stores as well as the wholesale business.”

 

In October the company announced a strategic review of the overall business had been undertaken by a new management team at the fast food company led by former Brumby’s chief Kevin Waite who took on the role of managing director in June this year.

 

This review set ambitious goals of a franchise store network with more than 200 outlets across Australia, and a wholesale business greater than 20 percent of annual total revenue; the company also announced its intent to expand into South Korea and the Phillipines with the first outlets set for an early 2015 opening.

 

Last year there was a push in the company to offer existing franchisees a discounted franchise fee as an incentive for them to add stores to their existing businesses.

 

Pie Face was in the national news in 2013 when the AFR revealed franchisees’ plans to sue the chain over costs and profits, and most recently for its closure of most of its New York outlets. Read how Pie Face responded to articles indicating it is fielding losses across its network of company owned and franchised stores here.

 

Jirsch Sutherland has been contacted for further information but at time of press has not responded.