UK-based plant-based eatery franchise, supported by Lewis Hamilton, faces closure due to liquidation
Plant-Based Burger Chain Neat Burger Enters Voluntary Liquidation in the UK
The synthetic meat restaurant group Neat Burger, backed by celebrities Sir Lewis Hamilton and Leonardo DiCaprio, has entered voluntary liquidation in the UK. The decision comes after the company posted significant financial losses and closed its last UK restaurants in April 2025.
According to the most recent comprehensive accounts published on Companies House, Neat Burger reported a near £7.9 million loss for the year to 31 December 2022. The company had also shuttered four of its eight London restaurants in 2023, resulting in job losses.
Despite the shareholders declaring that the company has sufficient assets (£1,279,044 as of July 2025) to cover all debts within 12 months, the continued losses led to the decision to wind up operations. The liquidation was formalized in late July 2025 with the appointment of FRP Advisory as liquidators.
Other contributing factors mentioned include the reputational impact of a poor food hygiene rating for one of its London locations, which may have affected consumer confidence. The group’s closure resulted in around 150 job losses in the UK.
The meat substitute market shows signs of fragility due to economic uncertainty and sluggish demand for plant-based products. Beyond Meat, a competitor in the synthetic meat market, announced job cuts and missed Wall Street estimates for second-quarter revenue.
Neat Burger had initially established its restaurant business with celebrity and Soft Bank backing in 2019. The company had expanded to cities like Milan and New York, despite its financial challenges.
In a statement, DiCaprio expressed support for Neat Burger's approach to alternative proteins, stating it is a key way to reduce global emissions. However, the ongoing financial unviability of the company, evidenced by heavy losses and closure of key outlets, led to Neat Burger entering voluntary liquidation in the UK in 2025.
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- In the realm of finance, the liquidation of Neat Burger, a plant-based burger chain, could potentially impact investors who have stocks in companies dealing with food-and-drink, particularly those focusing on food substitutes like Neat Burger.
- Some might argue that Neat Burger's entry into voluntary liquidation in the UK, following significant financial losses and closure of key outlets, indicates a fragility within the synthetic meat business, a sector often associated with lifestyle and investment choices in sustainability and environmental consciousness.
- Despite the financial struggles faced by Neat Burger, it's crucial to remember that the global finance industry encompasses a multitude of businesses, and there are numerous opportunities for investing in various sectors, including those unrelated to food-and-drink and sustainability, such as traditional businesses, technology startups, and much more.
