YouTuber Spanian's Kebab Empire Crumbles Amidst Financial Woes and Shuttered Stores

What once appeared to be an 'unstoppable' rise for Spanian's Kebab, a fast-food venture spearheaded by YouTuber Anthony Lees, has rapidly collapsed, leaving behind only two food trucks and a single struggling shop. Insiders have revealed a trail of warning signs that preceded the empire's downfall, even as the social media star continued to promote its success.

The rapid expansion of Spanian's Kebab, which saw ten outlets open by March of this year, began to unravel shortly thereafter. Suppliers noted a significant decrease in orders, while franchisees faced mounting financial pressure. A flagship store, once a symbol of the brand's ambition, quietly closed its doors.

The financial impact has been most acutely felt by the franchisees, who reportedly paid approximately $250,000 plus GST for the rights to operate under the Spanian's Kebab brand. The closure of multiple locations has left these investors facing significant financial losses.

One of the earliest signs of trouble emerged at the grand opening of the Newtown franchise in January. Despite significant promotion, the opening was marked by the absence of Spanian himself, who instead sent a cartoon mascot to represent him. Traffic to the Kogarah store has also reportedly dwindled, requiring fewer staff to operate.

The King Street, Newtown location, which had opened on what was described as a 'cursed corner,' has been stripped of all Spanian's branding. This outlet, like many others, has ceased operations.

During the period of the kebab chain's expansion and subsequent contraction, Lees also underwent a series of personal changes, including a split from his wife Angela McColl, a new relationship, significant weight loss, and cosmetic surgery. His decision to undergo a nose job was noted by fans as a departure from his established online persona.