SYDNEY — Barbeques Galore, a beloved Australian retailer specializing in barbecues, outdoor furniture and heating products since the 1970s, will shutter 62 company-owned stores and wind up operations in the coming weeks after a last-ditch rescue deal collapsed, putting hundreds of workers at risk of redundancy and marking the end for an iconic brand.

The company, which entered voluntary administration in February 2026 with around 89 stores and 500 employees, announced Tuesday that efforts to find a buyer or complete a recapitalization had failed. Receivers will now oversee the closure of company stores while exploring transitional arrangements for 27 franchise outlets.

Administrators and receivers from Grant Thornton and Ankura had pursued a sale process and a conditional recapitalization proposal from secured creditor Gordon Brothers. However, negotiations with landlords, suppliers and other parties could not reach acceptable commercial terms, leading to the decision to wind up the business.

"This is a tragic final chapter for an iconic Australian retail brand," said Roger Montgomery of The Montgomery Fund. "If you can't sell barbecues to Aussies, who can you sell to?"

Founded in the 1970s by Max Mason, Barbeques Galore grew into a household name, offering a wide range of outdoor living products. At the time of administration in mid-February, the group operated 68 company-owned stores and 27 franchised locations. Five underperforming stores had already closed during the process.

The collapse reflects broader pressures on Australian retail, including high........

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