Northamptonshire's popular Flavour Trailer restaurant and food trucks enter administration – but scaled-down business continues
The Flavour Trailer, which operates a restaurant and multiple food trucks across Northamptonshire, has entered into administration – but business continues, says owner.
The popular independent fast-food outlet, known for its freshly prepared burgers, has a restaurant in Brixworth and operates food trucks across the county. It released a full statement to the Chronicle and Echo today (January 15).
Owner Mario Shephard said: “The Flavour Trailer Ltd has entered administration, and while that company is now being formally wound down, we want to make it absolutely clear that this is not the end of The Flavour Trailer.
“The restaurant in Brixworth is now open, and one of our trucks is currently visiting our core locations. These assets – including The Flavour Trailer brand – are being acquired by a new company, Black Fox Hospitality Ltd [with Mario listed as a director] , which will continue operating the business while the formal transfer is completed.
“The past year has been incredibly challenging for independent hospitality businesses across the UK. Rising operating costs, increased PAYE obligations, higher ingredient prices and a sharp drop in consumer confidence have pushed many businesses to breaking point. For us, sales fell dramatically from late October, almost overnight, despite our product, team and operation being stronger than ever.
“In addition to the restaurant, running six burger trucks across the Midlands, seven days a week, was ambitious and something we were proud of – but the current economic climate simply didn’t support that scale. This transition allows us to return to what made people fall in love with The Flavour Trailer in the first place: exceptional food, consistency and a more personal approach.
“We are now focusing on the restaurant, one truck, and delivering the quality that defined our early years. This is a scale-down, not a shutdown – a way to protect the brand, protect the product, and continue serving the community that has supported us from the very beginning. A special thank you to the amazing Flavour Fans who have supported us along the way.
“We are incredibly sad to say goodbye to a number of our team, many of whom have been with us for years and become close friends. Their talent, loyalty and hard work have meant the world to us, and we are deeply grateful for everything they’ve contributed.
“My partner – now my wife – and I started The Flavour Trailer from a tent. We built it piece by piece with nothing but graft, belief and an obsession with making great food. Scaling back gives us the chance to reconnect with that original spirit.
“If there is a silver lining, it’s that I get to return to what started this whole journey: creating the best burger. This new chapter genuinely feels like a rebirth – tighter, more focused and more personal – and the food coming out of the restaurant and truck right now is the best we’ve ever made.
“We’d love to welcome everyone down to the restaurant or the truck as we begin this next chapter. Independent businesses everywhere are facing tough conditions, and the best way to support them is simply by choosing them. We’re still here. We’re still cooking. And the food is better than ever.”
The Flavour Trailer was set up in April 2018 by partners Mario Shephard and Charley Cummings and has since become a well-established and award-winning business in the town. The pair opened the restaurant in Brixworth March 2024. The business has amassed an impressive 4.3 out of five star rating from 566 Google reviews.