Over 100 employees in limbo as popular restaurant group closes

More than 100 employees from King Parrot Group, a major Hong Kong restaurant operator, have sought assistance from the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions after the company suddenly terminated operations across nine outlets.

The Hotels, Food and Beverage Employees Association, affiliated with the union, reported on Monday that staff were abruptly dismissed last Friday, with some discovering their workplaces shuttered the following day.

Association Secretary Yip Lau-ching revealed that employees at nine locations—along with central kitchen and office staff—were given checks and told not to return to work, with some restaurants boarded up the same day.

Workers are now demanding unpaid wages, severance, and holiday compensation. A trade union said that about 30 employees from a Chinese restaurant located in Mei Foo have lodged a claim amounting to approximately HK$2 million against the Group.

The Labour Department noted that it had received requests for help from about 50 employees as of this afternoon.

Yip, speaking on a radio program this morning, said the union visited 15 of the group’s outlets and confirmed nine had closed, while six remained operational.

Though the group’s management remains contactable, employees await clarity on the group’s financial status. She urged the employer to formally declare insolvency if unable to meet obligations, streamlining legal processes for affected staff.

Simon Wong Ka-wo, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, linked the collapse to the sector’s post-pandemic struggles.

Noting King Parrot once operated more than 30 restaurants under 20 brands, he said weak local demand and rising cross-border spending have pushed many eateries to the brink. 

“The industry hasn’t recovered as expected after the pandemic and the border reopening,” Wong stressed, calling for targeted government support.

(Marco Lam)