A well-loved fast food chain in Northamptonshire has formally entered administration following what its owner described as an "incredibly challenging year" for the sector.
A Popular Brand Faces Financial Strain
The Flavour Trailer Ltd, which operated a restaurant in Brixworth and a fleet of six burger trucks across the Midlands, has collapsed. Owner Mario Shephard confirmed the company is now being wound down. He attributed the failure to a perfect storm of economic pressures that have pushed many independent hospitality businesses to breaking point.
Shephard cited rising operating costs, increased payroll taxes, higher ingredient prices, and a sharp decline in consumer confidence. He revealed that sales dropped dramatically almost overnight from late October, despite the team and product being "stronger than ever." The ambitious model of running six trucks seven days a week proved unsustainable in the current climate.
Rescue Plan: A Scaled-Down Future
However, this is not the complete end for The Flavour Trailer brand. Shephard stressed this is a "scale-down, not a shutdown." The assets, including the brand, the Brixworth restaurant, and one truck, are being acquired by a new company called Black Fox Hospitality Ltd.
Mario Shephard is listed as a director of this new entity, which will continue trading while the formal transfer is completed. The plan is to return to the core offering that built the chain's loyal following. "We are now focusing on the restaurant, one truck, and delivering the quality that defined our early years," Shephard explained.
Impact on Staff and Community
The restructuring comes with a significant human cost. Shephard expressed sadness at having to say goodbye to a number of team members, many of whom had been with the business for years and had become close friends. He praised their talent, loyalty, and hard work.
The chain, which holds an impressive 4.3 out of 5 star rating on Google, had garnered a devoted customer base known as "Flavour Fans." Online reviews praised offerings like burgers described as "out of this world" and a spicy veggie burger hailed as "the best I have had." The business aims to continue serving this community with a more personal, focused approach.
Shephard concluded by thanking supporters and framing the move as a necessary step to protect the brand and its product for the future, hoping to emerge leaner and more resilient from the ongoing hospitality crisis.
