5.50pm
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THE closure of a Bendigo store was not influenced by a court case with a franchisee, Mexican restaurant chain Guzman Y Gomez says.
"It's never an easy decision to close a restaurant but this was a decision made by our team in the interests of the brand and our broader business strategy," a spokesperson said.
Eighteen people lost their jobs in Bendigo at the time of the closure and the spokesperson said they were given advanced notice to help them source employment.
"The well-being of our crew is important to us. We hope they have been able to secure new employment locally.
"Some crew have expressed interest in relocating within GYG and we look forward to welcoming them into our other restaurants in the future.
"We're proud of the training we provide our crew as the skills they pick up make them highly employable in the fast food, retail and hospitality industries."
4.20pm
BENDIGO'S Guzman Y Gomez has closed its doors a year-and-a-half after it opened at Kennington Village.
The store's final day of trade took place yesterday.
Contractors have spent the day moving equipment out.
The store became the subject of a civil court case brought about by former franchisee Andrew John Hodson and his company, which he said had made unconscionable conduct and misleading representations about the Kennington outlet's prospective profitability.
A Guzman y Gomez spokesperson said the company "takes our responsibility as a franchiser seriously and we treat our franchisees as business partners and family", after Mr Hodgson lodged a writ with the Supreme Court in Victoria.
Guzman Y Gomez has been contacted for comment.
More to come.
More on Guzman Y Gomez
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