Chilli situation as Mexican restaurant chain with 80 employees collapses

A major Queensland-based restaurant empire of gelato bars, Mexican and Sri Lankan cuisine has collapsed, leaving creditors hungry for answers.

CRS Corp, along with its sister companies AUA Holdings and AUA Group, were used to control the popular restaurant chains Ceylon Inn and Rosa Mexicano, along with a standalone La Bonita gelato bar in Graceville.

The companies owned a string of Sri Lankan restaurants across South-East Queensland, with Ceylon Inn locations in Kenmore, Toowong, Bulima and Graceville.

Meanwhile, its Rosa Mexicano chain owned stores in St Lucia, Rosalie, Graceville and St Lucia.

On May 27, the restaurant chains collapsed, with Ian Alexander Currie from BRI Ferrier appointed as administrator of CRS Corp, AUA Holdings and AUA Group. A meeting of creditors took place on June 6.

A second meeting of creditors is scheduled to take place at midday on July 2, where they will learn the fate of the chain.

SmartCompany attempted to contact Currie, although received no official comment prior to publication.

According to a report in the Courier Mail, the collapse was caused by owner Asoka Alakahone racking up debts of over $2.6 million. The businesses reportedly employ more than 80 workers.

On Facebook, while the Rosa Mexicano chain recently posted an update advertising its “Mad Mondays” special, customers on the Mexican chain’s page are complaining that a for lease sign has appeared in the window of the chain’s Graceville store.

Meanwhile, the most recent update on the Facebook chain of the Ceylon Inn chain simply shows an open sign.