SHUTTERS DOWN
Beloved burger chain to shut all locations ‘despite best efforts’ after 13 years
The owners of cult burger restaurant Almost Famous said they were 'broken hearted'
A BELOVED burger chain has shut all its locations after 13 years despite the owner's "best efforts".
Cult burger restaurant Almost Famous has confirmed it has closed its four sites in a heart-breaking statement.
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Owner Beau Myers said the chain's two sites in Manchester, plus branches in Liverpool and Leeds, will be closed.
He said: "It is with broken hearts and tearful eyes that we must announce the closure of Almost Famous.
"The current economic climate has proven too challenging for us to overcome.
"The lingering debt from Covid, rising costs across every aspect of the business, and a tightening in people’s ability to spend on dining out have created an impossible situation.
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"Despite our best efforts, we are no longer able to continue.
"Ironically, while our venues remain busy and our reviews are glowing, the financial pressures stacked against us have made it impossible to sustain the business - making this scenario even more heart-breaking."
Almost Famous was founded 13 years ago at the height of the dirty burger craze and has since served more than a million burgers to guests.
It was known for its towering burgers, wings and loaded fries.
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The owner added: “It has been an unforgettable journey, and we hope we’ve been able to create lasting memories, happy moments, and plenty of smiles along the way.
“All we ever wanted was to make incredible burgers and provide good times. That mission drove us every single day.”
I tried McDonald’s ‘spiciest ever’ burger made with Frank’s RedHot sauce and I’d choose it over the original any day
The hospitality industry has faced challenges in recent years and 2025 has already seen a number of closures.
Crepeaffaire has closed its sites in both Chester and Westfield shopping centre in London.
The future of three Itsu sites is also still up in the air after one of its franchise partners was saved from collapse.
Heart with Smart (HWS) was bought by investment firm Directional Capital this month in a pre-pack administration deal.
The hospitality franchise was best known as the operator of Pizza Hut's dine-in restaurants in the UK, with the firm taking over around 150 of the sites as part of the deal.
TROUBLE FOR UK RESTAURANTS
It comes as a number of popular restaurant chains have closed due to diners having less money to spend on meals out
Britain's "rudest restaurant" Karen's Diner closed all its UK sites last year after its parent company, Viral Ventures UK, reportedly racked up more than £400,000 worth of debt.
TGI Fridays closed 35 sites after collapsing into administration last September.
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More than 1,000 staff lost their jobs after a deal to save the chain excluded the struggling sites.
Private equity firms Breal Capital and Calveton UK stepped in to save the chain's other restaurants, which now operate under the parent company Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group.
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
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