UK Arm Of Infamous Karen s Diner Chain forced Into Liquidation

The UK arm of the notorious restaurant chain where staff are intentionally rude to customers has gone into liquidation.

Karen's Diner, which trades under Viral Ventures UK, has ceased trading and will close all six UK restaurants.

Viral Ventures UK owes more than £400,000 to creditors, according to its most recent accounts recorded to Companies House.

The restaurant became famous as staff were deliberately rude to customers - with some clips going viral of staff going 'too far'. 

One grandmother was left mortified last year after her waitress called her a 'silly b****' - while a father visiting an Australian branch of the restaurant was called a 'peado' in front of his 14-year-old daughter.

The appointment comes after the presentation of a winding up petition by a creditor, according to Restaurant News Online, whereby a hearing occurs to establish whether a company is insolvent and unable to pay its debts.

Jeremy Charles Frost and Stephen Patrick Jens Wadsted of Frost Group Limited, insolvency practitioners regulated by the Insolvency Practitioners Association, were appointed as joint liquidators on Monday.




Viral Ventures UK, which Karen's Diner trades under, is thought to over £400,000 to creditors, according to its most recent accounts recorded to Companies House (pictured: A Karen's diner server)





UK branches of Karen's Diner - where staff are intentionally rude to customers - have gone into liquidation (pictured: A Karen's diner location)

Frost said via Restaurant News: 'It is always a challenging moment when a business, especially one with the reach of Viral Ventures, is forced into liquidation'.

He added: 'We understand the disappointment and Situs Berita concern, particularly for those with deposits for upcoming shows. Our priority to guide those affected through this process and ensure the necessary steps are taken.'

In June, the TikTok viral brand announced that it was rethinking UK expansion plans to focus on summer pop up events across the UK, including in Blackpool and Liverpool.

Following the news, the Karen's Diner summer pop up tour is unlikely to take place, with the group advising customers to contact their banks to get their money back for pre-paid tickets.

A website has been set up to support customers and all those affected by the news of liquidation.

The restaurant chain was inspired by the internet trend of calling someone who always complains or gets angry at hospitality staff a 'Karen'.

The chain's website described it as 'an interactive diner and an absurdly fun experience' - you get waited upon by rude waiters and forced to play a variety of 'stupid games.'

However, the brand had faced a string of controversies recently, including when far-right commentator Katie Hopkins hosted a guest appearance at the chain's Prestwich branch in March, which led to anti-racist protests outside the restaurant.




The chain, which had branches in London, Manchester, and Brighton, is famous for insulting its diners (pictured: Karen's Diner staff member in Australia)

That same month, Karen's Diner in Brighton Marina closed its doors after high traces of drugs were found on the premises.

The diner chain ceased trading at the franchise after a high reading of cocaine was found on a baby changing table following a police investigation.

In addition to the significant traces of drugs found, including MDMA, heroin, and ketamine, Sussex Police also discovered that the restaurant had broken licensing and safety rules.

Police investigated the branch after a customer filed a complaint regarding a joke made about a child, according to The Argus. 

The force later requested that Brighton and Hove City Council review the licence amid safeguarding concerns.

The branch opted to cease trading one day before a formal hearing in front of a panel of three councillors was set to take place. 

Police entered the premises during a licensing check on 2 February, and found traces of cocaine, heroin, MDMA, and ketamine in the toilets, on the kitchen pass, reception area, and on a customer table.




The chain has faced controversies in recent times, including when Sussex police found high traces of cocaine at the baby's changing table at the Brighton branch. Pictured: a sign at one of the chain's locations explaining its service 

Sergeant Vince Lam was present during the investigation and told The Argus: 'There are some very high readings and most alarmingly a (very high reading) for cocaine on the baby-changing table.

'During changing, the baby's fingers could contact the surface where drugs have been consumed and (they could) then place their fingers in their mouth causing possible harm.'

High readings indicate that a surface has come into contact with 'bulk amounts' of a drug. Low readings suggest cross-contamination, background contamination or greatly degraded historic contamination.

In addition to the high readings located on the baby's changing table, police found low readings of cocaine at the reception desk, bar card machine, a customer table and in the men's toilets.

Low readings for heroin were found on the kitchen serving counter and the ladies toilet hand dryer.

A medium reading for heroin was found in the ladies restroom bin alongside a medium reading for ecstasy. The ladies restroom also had a low reading for ketamine.

In addition to the high presence of drugs found at the location, the force also discovered that the franchise was breaching its licence. 








Staff at the Brighton Marina branch failed to supply police with the CCTV hard drive and claimed that they were unaware of its whereabouts. Pictured: A Karen's Diner location 









Police launched an investigation into the branch after a customer filed a complaint regarding a joke made about a child. Pictured: A Karen's diner location 

At the time of the investigation, staff were unable to find the CCTV hard drive. Police travelled back to the Brighton Marina the following day, only to find that the system had been removed.

The force then spoke to the premise's licence holder the next day, but he was also unaware of the hard drive's location.

The designated premise's supervisor, who is responsible for alcohol sales at the restaurant, was also flagged in the report for not being present at the restaurant often enough.

A representative from Karen's Diner told MailOnline: 'Having investigated and studied the findings of Brighton and Hove Licensing Unit, we have decided to terminate our Franchise agreement with the Brighton operators.

'As from Monday the 4th of March, Karen's Diner will no longer trade on The Marina.

'Our restaurants are intended to offer outrageously funny experiences, and never to cause offence.

'Clearly the restaurant has operated outside of our guidelines and this is unacceptable.

'We take this opportunity of thanking the thousands of people that have been brave enough to visit and we share their disappointment as we announce this closure.'


LiverpoolBlackpoolTikTokTeam Pages