Latest news with #ChiuKwunChung
South China Morning Post
02-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong seafood restaurant Super Star closes last branch, leaving 50 workers in limbo
A 36-year-old Hong Kong seafood restaurant chain has abruptly shut down its last remaining branch, leaving about 50 employees in limbo as they seek to recover their unpaid wages. Advertisement A notice announcing the closure of Super Star Seafood Restaurant was posted at its Moko shopping centre branch in Mong Kok on Wednesday. 'In recent years, the catering industry in Hong Kong has been facing structural challenges. The local consumer market has continued to be weak and there has been a fundamental change in tourists' consumption patterns. The business of our company has inevitably been affected,' it said. The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions says it has accompanied Super Star restaurant workers to the Labour Department. Photo: Jelly Tse According to the notice, the company tried to negotiate relief measures, such as rent adjustments or suspensions, with the landlords, but failed to reach an agreement. 'Due to the continued deterioration of the business environment and after careful evaluation, the company, with a heavy heart, announces that it will cease operations at the Moko branch from July 2,' it added. The restaurant chain, founded in 1989, used to have multiple branches across Hong Kong, including in Tsuen Wan, Wan Chai, Hung Hom and Tseung Kwan O. But all had been closed in the run-up to its final demise. Advertisement Chiu Kwun-chung, head of the Eating Establishment Employees General Union's labour rights committee, said about 50 restaurant workers had sought help to recover their unpaid wages, severance payments, pay for untaken leave, as well as wages in lieu of notice, which amounted to an estimated total of more than HK$5 million (US$636,940).
South China Morning Post
08-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
‘Vicious circle' for Hong Kong restaurants: how many more on the chopping block?
Hong Kong's restaurant industry faces a bleak second half of the year as both low-cost and high-end operators succumb to the economic slowdown, sector leaders have warned, putting part of the blame on the trend of residents heading across the border to spend. Industry representatives gave their grim assessment on Sunday, just days after King Parrot Group announced it would close nine of its eateries, ending a 33-year run. The move has reportedly left over 100 staff out of pocket to the tune of more than HK$1 million (US$127,430), as concerns mounted that other restaurants would also close due to cash-flow pressures and the poor economic outlook. Chiu Kwun-chung, head of the Eating Establishment Employees General Union's labour rights committee, said the sector was facing rising levels of unemployment. 'From the struggles of affordable eateries such as Ocean Empire Food Shop to the collapse of higher-end, multi-cuisine groups such as King Parrot, Hong Kong's dining scene is caught in a vicious circle,' Chiu said. Two long-standing establishments, the 33-year-old congee chain Ocean Empire Food Shop and 44-year-old Daniel's Restaurant cha chaan teng chain, last month joined a growing list of closures.
