King Parrot Group suspected of shutting down; over 50 employees seek assistance

Hong Kong's once-thriving King Parrot Group, a major player in the city's dining scene with over 30 restaurants at its peak, is suspected to be ceasing operations, leaving dozens of employees without severance pay and benefits. 

The catering group informed staff on June 6 about its closure, with three restaurants shutting their doors permanently. Workers arriving for their shifts were met with boarded-up premises or signs claiming the locations were "under renovation," though the closures appear to be permanent.

Chiu Kwun-chung, head of the Eating Establishment Employees General Union's labour rights committee, revealed that while employees received their May and June salaries, the company failed to fulfill other financial obligations. Outstanding payments include holiday pay, severance packages, notice period compensation, and recent Mandatory Provident Fund contributions.

When asked about potential warning signs before the group's closure, employees said they hadn't detected any clear signals. But they pointed out that the gradual closure of the group's restaurants clearly indicated deteriorating business conditions.

Affected employees were urged to file formal complaints with the Labour Department while carefully preserving all employment documents. The union emphasized the importance of maintaining records of MPF contributions and documenting all owed payments as potential evidence for future claims.

The Labour Department stated that it is highly concerned about the incident. Affected employees who suspect their employment rights may have been violated should promptly visit the branch offices of the Labour Relations Division of the Labour Department for inquiries. The department will provide appropriate assistance.

Attempts to contact the group proved fruitless, with its website offline and social media accounts dormant since last month's Mother's Day promotions. Only Duck Licious in Tsuen Wan responded to inquiries, confirming it continues operations but is no longer affiliated with King Parrot Group.

Founded in 1992, King Parrot Group once operated a sprawling dining empire that included popular establishments such as Coast Seafood & Grill, King Ludwig Beerhall, Dirty Skillet, and Yat Lok Roast Goose. However, the group's fortunes began declining noticeably, with its Stanley Murray House restaurants closing in April 2024, followed by the complete shutdown of its Yakiniku Otoko barbecue chain earlier this year.