The Retail Food Group Ltd (ASX: RFG) share price is satisfying the appetites of its shareholders today amid its latest update.
As we head into the afternoon, shares in the food and beverage company are trading 10.1% higher at 7.6 cents apiece. The performance is more impressive given the context of the broader market on Friday.
At the time of writing, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is 0.81% weaker than yesterday.
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Messy past comes due
Since 2017, Retail Food Group has been shrouded in controversy and contempt. Explosive allegations were made regarding the company's dealings with franchisees following an investigation conducted by The Sydney Morning Herald.
At the time, it was alleged that Retail Food Group failed to provide adequate financial information for the stores being sold to franchisees — among other issues — leading to financial ruin, at times, for those that operated stores such as Michel's Patisserie, Donut King, and Brumby's.
Understandably, the market grew nervous about the situation, sending the Retail Food Group share price into the dirt. In the space of two years, the company's shares descended a crippling 98%.
The reports prompted the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to commence proceedings against Retail Food Group. Fast forward to today and we have our verdict.
According to the release, Retail Food has agreed to settle with the ACCC. As part of the agreement, the company will pay approximately $8 million to the impacted franchisees. Additionally, the company will waive around $1.8 million worth of franchisee debts.
Retail Food pointed out that the proceeding would be dismissed without:
- making any admission to the allegations
- paying any pecuniary penalty; or
- being subject to any injunction, disclosure, or adverse publicity order
Path travelled by the Retail Food Group share price
It has been a bumpy old ride for Retail Food shares in 2022, swinging between 4 cents and 8 cents. Yet, today's gain takes the company's shares into the green for the year.
In fact, the food and beverage business has outperformed the ASX 200 by approximately 14%. A title that not too many ASX shares can claim to hold at the end of this challenging 12-month stint.
