Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
We may not get to choose our family, but we can choose whether we go into business with them. Thirty-five years ago, father and son duo Ross and James Murdoch made this choice and never looked back.
It all started with the Tai Tapu Pub. Its success led to the purchase of the Darfield Pub and over the next three decades, the pair bought and sold pubs and restaurants throughout Canterbury. A major milestone was the purchase of Farrington’s in Christchurch, after which Ross passed the reins to his son, letting James do what he does best: lead with vision and determination. Ross continued in an advisory capacity and ran his favourite of their businesses: Coasters Tavern.
Tragedy struck in 2011 when the earthquake destroyed the Carlton. After owning the business for five years, it was “hard to see something we’ve worked on so hard vanish so quickly,” James said. But nothing can stop these two from progress. Since the earthquake, they have rebuilt the Carlton in spectacular fashion and started Casa Publica, a South American restaurant on New Regent Street with an inviting aesthetic and impressive list of rums. They also expanded into Queenstown, adding the Pig and Whistle to their list of successful businesses.
Casa Publica
When asked about what led to such success, both men echo the other’s sentiments about working together. “He’s such a cool dude to work with,” Ross said about James. “He’s got vision. He can look at a wall, do one thing to it, and it changes the dynamics of the whole fit out. He shows up every day and gets things done.” James said his father had been an invaluable partner over the years, giving him advice and support whenever needed.
But the time has come for the pair to move on from hospitality. They recently sold their businesses to the second-largest Australian hospitality company. With 9,000 staff and 250 outlets in Australia, Ross and James are confident their businesses are in capable hands. Gareth Bull, who joined the Group in 2016 and became a shareholder in 2020, is continuing on as General Manager with the new purchaser.
Such a sale requires specialist knowledge and an accountant you can trust. “This sale has been in the works for three years,” James said. “Over that time, Leech & Partners’ knowledge around large corporate company sales has been invaluable. They have provided us with the information and advice for this sale to happen.”
Ross and James were Leech & Partners’ first hospitality client. They worked closely with Gary Leech until his retirement and now enjoy working with Brett Dudley and Glen White. “It’s good to know our books are in the hands of experts,” James explained.
What’s next for the father and son team? James started a construction company to rebuild the Carlton and plans to focus on growing this company, while Ross is looking forward to travelling, fishing and white baiting.
