Australian Venue Co. (AVC), formerly Dixon Hospitality Group, is a hospitality company in Australia that owns and operates over 200 venues across the country.[1]
| Formerly | Dixon Hospitality Group |
|---|---|
| Company type | Privately held company |
| Industry | |
| Headquarters | , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Paul Waterson (CEO) |
| Services | |
Number of employees | 8,000 |
| Parent | PAG |
| Subsidiaries | Court Hotel Duke of Wellington Hotel Esplanade Hotel Regatta Hotel |
| Website | Official website |
History
editin 2017, KKR purchased an 80% stake in the Dixon Hospitality Group.[2][3] The company's portfolio initially consisted of five venues in Melbourne, but has expanded to over 200 venues across Australia and New Zealand.
In March 2019, Coles Group and Australian Venue Co. established a joint venture (Queensland Venue Co) where AVC would take over operations of the Coles' Spirit Hotels and receive its profits while Coles would run the group's liquor stores and receive its profits. Coles received $200 million from AVC as part of the deal.[4][5][6]
In August 2023, PAG agreed terms to purchase KKR's controlling shareholding for $1.4 billion.[7][8]
In December 2024, the company announced a ban on Australia Day celebrations in 2025 due to the holiday causing "sadness for some members of our community". The decision was subsequently reversed following public criticism.[9]
Venues
editAVC's venues are spread across various locations in Australia, ranging from coastal towns to major cities. The company's portfolio includes bars, restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, and function spaces that cater to different clientele. Some of the notable venues are:
Headquarters and staffing
editAVC's Head Office is located at 616 St Kilda Road, Melbourne.[14] AVC has over 8,300 employees across Australia & New Zealand.[15]
References
edit- ^ "Explore Unique Venues + Function Spaces". Australian Venue Co. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ "Australian Venue Co | Shop Ethical! company profile". guide.ethical.org.au. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ "KKR set to sign $190m Dixon Hospitality Group deal; sources". Australian Financial Review. 2017-06-29. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ Hatch, Patrick (2019-03-04). "Coles punts pubs and pokies in $200m joint-venture deal". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
- ^ Hawtin-Butcher, Craig (2019-03-06). "Coles offloads hotels and pokies to Australian Venue Co". The Shout. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
- ^ House, Alana (2021-03-06). "Australian Venue Co takes over Coles pubs in Queensland". Drinks Bulletin. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
- ^ Thompson, Sarah; Sood, Kanika; Rapaport, Emma (2023-08-24). "PAG Asia pays $1.4b for KKR's Aussie pubs; lenders swarm deal". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
- ^ Klyne, Sharon (2023-08-25). "PAG Gets A$900 Million Loan to Buy Pub Operator Australian Venue". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
- ^ "Hospitality group apologises after reportedly telling pubs not to celebrate Australia Day". ABC News. 2 December 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
- ^ Iconic Perth bar The Court to change hands in landmark sale WAtoday 14 September 2023
- ^ "Pub & Rooftop Bar Melbourne CBD - The Duke of Wellington". Duke of Wellington. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ "Hotel Esplanade". Esplanade Hotel. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ "Bar, Restaurant & Function Venue in Brisbane". Regatta Hotel. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ "Contact Us And Book Your Next Event". Australian Venue Co. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ "Learn More About Australian Venue Co - 200+ Venues Australia-Wide". Australian Venue Co. Retrieved 2024-01-16.