First Lord of the Fries outlet, Elizabeth Street, closes over landlord dispute

In what comes as an “end of an era”, the first ever Lord of the Fries store, on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Flinders Street in Melbourne’s CBD, closed yesterday.

After eight years of residence at shop 9/2 - 26 Elizabeth Street the Lord of the Fries franchise, specialising in vegetarian and vegan fast food for around the $15 a meal mark, is closing its doors.

“We couldn't come to an agreement with our landlord at this store so we must part ways,” the franchise’s official Facebook account explained. However, in the “not too distant future” they’ll be likely opening a replacement store just doors away. This should appease some of their almost 16,000-strong Facebook fan base - many of whom have taken to social media blaming a "greedy landlord" as the reason for the dispute. This has not be stated officially or unofficially by the franchisee.

However, they now have eight stores with a ninth opening at Melbourne’s Southern Cross station on the Bourke Street overpass. Advertisements for staff suggest this store was meant to open earlier this year.

The stores recently announced their potential expansion to India and the US, which seem to be logical choices given the popularity of vegetarianism in both locations. Just last year they expanded into Sydney, with a 537 George Street opening in August.

The Elizabeth/Flinders Street Lord of the Fries outlet was regularly busy, and held late night hours – 10am to 11pm Monday to Thursday, 10am to 4am Fridays and Saturdays and 10am to 10pm on Sundays.

The now defunct store is located next to Starbucks Coffee and Walkers donuts.

They opened the store in November 2005 having previously operated as a food van.

Since then, their stores have become strong cultural hang outs with eye-catching designs. For instance, their Northland and Chadstone outlets had Russell & George design the alternative outlets with a "modern" theme. The Northland outlet is no longer in operation.

Other stores include Brunswick Street, Flinders Station, Chapel Street, Melbourne Central and Swanston Street.

The offices above the outlet at 276 Flinders Street, or Melbourne Square, have also recently been up for vacant possession lease through Savills.

Photo courtesy of Facebook.