PLUTA restructuring expert Georg Stemshorn appointed provisional administrator for Schwarze Kiste restaurant business

Mr Sebastian Hrabak, owner of Schwarze Kiste e.K., has had to file for insolvency. On 11 March 2020, the Local Court of Augsburg ordered provisional insolvency proceedings and appointed Mr Georg Stemshorn from PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH as provisional administrator.

Schwarze Kiste runs one restaurant on Haunstetter Strasse and another on Oberländer Strasse at the Hochablass weir in Augsburg. The company has had to file for insolvency due to liquidity problems. The business made substantial investments in a new location (Mohrenkönig), which ultimately could not be seen through as planned for legal reasons. This resulted in last month’s closure of the Mohrenkönig restaurant, which Schwarze Kiste e.K. had run since June 2019.

Both the Haunstetter Strasse and Oberländer Strasse restaurants remain fully operational and are open for business as usual. The 38 full-time and part-time staff have already been informed about the situation during a staff meeting. Their salaries are guaranteed for a period of three months thanks to specific substitute benefits provided under German insolvency law.

“We have held initial discussions already and the restaurants will continue trading,” said PLUTA restructuring expert Mr Stemshorn. He will be supported in the proceedings by attorney Mr Florian Zistler and business lawyer Mr Dennis Stroh. The PLUTA team is trying to find a solution that will keep the business going. Mr Stemshorn added: “We have started by analysing the restaurants’ figures. Both locations can be profitably run.”

Mr Sebastian Hrabak explained: “Our present circumstances are challenging – also given the current situation in the hospitality industry. Our employees are highly motivated and will support the insolvency administrator and his team in all areas. We hope that our guests will continue to visit us in the future.”