Former Gami Chicken Franchisees Fined $76,000 for Serious Workplace Breaches

Australian franchise operators are once again being reminded that employment law compliance is not optional,  and that record-keeping failures can carry significant financial and reputational consequences.

Australian franchise employers must comply with Fair Work record-keeping and wage laws or risk significant penalties.

Two former Gami Chicken & Beer franchisees, along with their HR employee, have been fined a combined $76,387 following court action by the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) over serious workplace law breaches.

What Happened?

The case involved Vanna Taing and Brandon Bui, former operators of the Gami Chicken Southland outlet at Westfield Southland Shopping Centre in Cheltenham, Victoria.

In 2024, the Federal Court imposed penalties of:

• $15,000 against Ms Taing

• $12,500 against Mr Bui

These penalties arose after the Fair Work Ombudsman commenced proceedings for:

• Falsifying employment records

• Failing to keep proper employee records

• Failing to comply with a Fair Work Compliance Notice

Following a concluded appeal, the Federal Court has now also ordered the former franchisees to jointly repay $44,887 in outstanding entitlements to 16 kitchen and wait staff.

In addition, Gary Lai, the HR employee involved in maintaining the false records, was fined $4,000 for his role in the contraventions.

Fair Work Ombudsman’s Warning to Employers

Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth made it clear that attempts to obstruct investigations will not be tolerated.

“When employers use false records to try to thwart our investigations and when Compliance Notices are not followed, we will continue to take legal action.”

She also emphasised that falsified records are routinely detected by Fair Work inspectors and that enforcement activity remains firmly focused on protecting young workers and visa holders, particularly in the fast food, restaurant and café sectors, industries that are highly represented in franchising.

Why This Matters for Franchisees and Business Owners

This case is a timely reminder that franchisees are independently responsible for complying with Australian workplace laws, regardless of brand size or franchisor support.

Key takeaways for franchise operators include:

• Employment records must be accurate, complete and retained properly

• Compliance Notices issued by the Fair Work Ombudsman must be acted on promptly

• Using false records significantly increases penalties and legal exposure

• HR managers and third-party advisers can also face personal liability

For franchised businesses, employment breaches can also create flow-on risks, including franchisor scrutiny, reputational damage, and in some cases, franchise agreement termination.

Getting the Right Legal Help Early Matters

Employment law breaches often arise not from intent, but from poor systems, misunderstood obligations or inadequate advice, particularly for franchisees operating under time and cost pressures.

This is where early, specialist legal guidance can make a material difference.

How Bane Legal Services Can Help

Bane Legal Services is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.

However, we are a trusted legal matchmaker, connecting business owners and franchisees with the right commercial, employment or franchising lawyer for their situation.

With 30+ years of real-world business experience, we understand the pressures franchisees face and help ensure clients are referred to lawyers who:

• Specialise in employment and Fair Work compliance

• Understand franchising structures and risk

• Provide practical, commercially grounded advice, not generic templates

If you are a franchisee, franchisor or business owner concerned about wage compliance, record-keeping obligations or Fair Work investigations, getting matched with the right lawyer early can significantly reduce risk and cost.

Source:

Original reporting by Franchise Executives, “Former Gami Chicken franchisees fined $76K”, Sarah Stowe, 15 December 2025.