The future of Hub Box, the popular burger chain that started in Cornwall, has been secured after it collapsed into administration.

A deal to sell the chain will see all of Hub Box’s ten restaurants across the South West of England and Wales, including Falmouth and Truro, continue to trade, with all of the Company’s circa 300 staff transferring to the purchaser as part of the deal.

The company also has restaurants in St Ives, Pentewan, Exeter, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Dorchester, Taunton and Portsmouth.

It restaurant in Truro will remain openIt restaurant in Truro will remain open (Image: HubBox)

Hub Box has been working with its advisers from Interpath Advisory to explore investment options that could support its continued operations and its future expansion.

Despite seeing consistent revenue growth over the past three years, the company had recently been impacted by rising food, energy, interest and labour costs.

With pressure on cashflow increasing, the directors sought to explore their investment options, including a sale of the business. However, when a solvent solution could not be found, they took steps to seek the appointment of administrators.

Consequently, Steve Absolom and Will Wright from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators to Hub Box Limited on 11 July 2024.

Immediately following their appointment, the joint administrators sold the business and assets of the Company to South West Restaurants Limited.

Sam Birchall, head of Special Situations at Interpath Advisory who led the transaction, said: “Hub Box has grown a loyal customer base in the South West but, like many other casual dining operators, has been hit hard in recent years by high cost inflation.

“We’re pleased to have secured this transaction which safeguards the future of the brand and which, importantly, preserves employment for 300 staff. We wish all at the Company the best for the future.”

From the mothership of Hub in St Ives, to opening their first Hub Box in Truro in 2014 - famously from a shipping container on Lemon Quay, they soon outgrew the container and relocated to its current home in Kenwyn Street.

The Falmouth outlet on Discovery Quay was tenth to open in 2021.