Vegan fast-food chain Lord of the Fries' franchisor has gone into liquidation, forcing it to close its stores in Auckland Central and Wellington.
The company broke the news of the closures in an Instagram announcement last month, saying a "last-minute buyer" could save the situation.
Earlier this year, Bruce Craig, the franchise holder, announced he intended to sell all six stores with an asking price of $1.2 million.
"We would love it to go to a family-based business or individual who understands why Lord of the Fries exists and that we're trying to disrupt the fast-food industry with a plant-based offering," Craig said at the time.
The post said Lord of the Fries in Christchurch and in Auckland's Botany Town Centre, which are under separate ownership, would remain open.
Chip Lord NZ Limited, which trades as Lord of the Fries, was placed in liquidation on June 12, according to Stuff.
Stores on Snickel Lane and Karangahape Road in Auckland's CBD have already shut up shop, as well as those on Wellington's Cuba Street, in Hamilton East and in Queenstown .
A co-owner of the separately owned Botany store, Rahul Sunilkumar, confirmed to Stuff that neither of the remaining stores are owned by Chip Lord NZ.
He and his co-owners now deal directly with Lord of the Fries' head office in Australia, he said.
The situation is similar across the ditch, with the remaining New South Wales' store forced to shut its doors in May.
Stores operating in South Australia, West Australia, Queensland and Victoria currently remain open.
"Bruce & Baksho, our visionary founders, head to Oz for grandparent duties. Huge thanks to our incredible community. You've been the heartbeat of our success," the Instagram post said.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the chain was turning over around $3.5 million a year, but was affected by the widespread move to working from home amid lockdowns, Craig told The Post.
Craig bought the franchise rights in 2016 and opened the first Queen Street store, with the Karangahape Road store following shortly after.
Lord of the Fries serves only vegan dishes including a variety of fries, veggie burgers, hot dogs, side dishes and breakfast items.
