Handmade Burger Co has gone into administration - this is what it means for staff

For the second time in three years, burger chain Handmade Burger Co has gone into administration.

This is everything you need to know about the closures, including what to do if you’re an employee.

Immediate closures

Restaurant chain Handmade Burger Co has yet again fallen into administration, which has led to the closure of all 18 of its remaining outlets and the loss of 283 jobs.

Join administrator David Griffiths said, “The casual dining market in the UK has experienced significant challenges over the last four years, largely as a result of overcapacity in the sector, which has resulted in a significant number of insolvencies.”

Griffiths also added that administrators will help employees of the company who have been made redundant to claim any money that they’re entitled to.

All online presence for the company has been taken down as well, with social media handles wiped and the website stating “this site is offline”.

Employee rights

The government website states that, depending on your situation, you can apply to the government for:

A redundancy paymentHoliday payOutstanding payments like unpaid wages, overtime and commissionMoney you would have earned working your notice period, also known as statutory notice pay

If you’ve been made redundant, you’ll be given:

A RP1 fact sheetA case reference number to use when you apply for money you’re owed

What money you’re entitled to depends on factors such as how long you were employed, what was outlined in your employment contract and your age.

You’re eligible to apply for money you’re owed if you were an employee and you’re a UK or EEA national, or a foreign national with permission to work in the UK.

You can apply for redundancy pay, unpaid wages and holiday pay as soon as you’ve been made redundant. You must apply for redundancy pay within six months of being dismissed.

To apply, you’ll need the following:

A case reference numberYour national insurance numberAn email addressYour bank or building society detailsThe date you became redundantYour employment details, including dates you were employed and how much you were paidDetails of any money you’re owed by your employerThe number of holiday days you’re entitled to and holiday days you’ve takenCopies of any letters sent to or received from your employer or an employment tribunalDetails of any money you still owe your employer

You can apply online using the government service here. If you need help applying, you can get in touch with the Redundancy Payments Service helpline at 0330 331 0020 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Thursday and 9am to 1pm on Friday.

2017 administration

In 2017, Handmade Burger Co entered administration, with nine of its 29 restaurants being closed immediately. It was bought out of administration following a rescue plan.

The chain originally opened in Birmingham in 2006 by Chris Sargeant.