McDonald's estranged partner Vikram Bakshi said that 18 out of the 43 outlets of the burger chain in Delhi that have been closed since June due to expiry of eating house licences, reopened on 19 September.
The development follows a decision by the board of Connaught Plaza Restaurants Ltd (CPRL), which passed a resolution on 17 September to reopen 21 outlets for which health licences have since been received, Bakshi said in a statement.
Vikram Bakshi said on Tuesday:
18 restaurants in Delhi have reopened today.
This decision has been taken by the board of CPRL, chaired by National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) appointed administrator Justice GS Singhvi, in the best interest of employees, vendors, landlords and all stakeholders, he added.
Consequent on the termination of the franchise agreements of 169 McDonald’s restaurants operated by CPRL in the North and East of India, effective from 6 September, CPRL is required to cease using the McDonald’s System and is no longer authorised to operate McDonald’s restaurants.McDonald’s India Representative to PTI
The company further said, “We will continue to take steps to exercise our legal and contractual rights.” In June, 43 outlets operated by CPRL were closed after the expiry of eating house licence.
Bakshi and McDonald’s India have been fighting it out in the courts over termination of franchise licence by the US-based fast food chain last month.
The fate of 169 outlets run by CPRL in north and east India became uncertain after the expiry of notice of termination of licence earlier this month.
While Bakshi is contesting at NCLAT in New Delhi, the fast food major had approached the London Court of Arbitration, which asked Bakshi last week to sell his stake in the 50:50 joint venture, CPRL, to McDonald's India.
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