Landlord sees red over yellow shop: Auckland eatery says opening stalled amid colour stoush

Author: Samuel Sherry & Tom Rose,
Publish Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2026, 9:35am

The opening of a Newmarket restaurant has been delayed. Photo / Dean Purcell

The opening of a popular Vietnamese restaurant’s Newmarket offshoot has been delayed over an alleged colour dispute with the building’s landlord, its owners claim.

Vietnamese restaurant Phở Yến is planning to open a new shop in the central Auckland suburb at 270 Broadway, expanding from its Dominion Rd location.

The original restaurant’s storefront is characterised by its bold yellow paint, something its owners were hoping to recreate at the new corner location.

However, they claim they will not be opening their doors any time soon because the landlord of their Newmarket location is unhappy with the yellow paint.

“We can’t open our doors just yet, as the landlord is not happy with our bold, warm yellow storefront colour,” the restaurant wrote on social media.

The chief executive of the lessor’s parent company, Tramco, told the Herald their tenant was signed under a different name and had never sought approval to repaint their facade or transfer the lease to a new business.

Phở Yến is facing hurdles in trying to bring its Dominion Rd restaurant's signature yellow storefront colour to a new location in Newmarket. Photo / Dean Purcell

The space previously housed Vietnamese milk tea and coffee Teadee, which announced its closure on May 18.

On social media, Phở Yến’s operators claimed they were being asked to return the facade to Teadee’s original split storefront colour.

“This is the hard part … The yellow colour is part of our brand. It’s how we welcome you and warm you up, with our signature bowl of beef phở.”

The post said they had tried to find a solution to the issue, but they haven’t felt wanted in the area.

“To be honest, we don’t feel very welcomed to serve our phở on the corner of Newmarket.

270 Broadway is in the heart of Newmarket, an upmarket retail area. Photo / Dean Purcell

“We have tried offering several alternative options, but the only solution allowed is a half-white, half-yellow storefront.

“So, Newmarket, we may not be coming after all.”

The restaurant operators said they wanted to be consistent and remain true to their brand vision, rather than change because someone doesn’t like something, and they would keep customers updated on the landlord’s final decision.

“Thank you so much to everyone who has stopped by, asked about us, and patiently waited for us to open in Newmarket.

“We truly appreciate all your support.”

Commenters on the post were mostly supportive of the operators’ decision to try to keep their yellow branding, arguing it wasn’t too dissimilar to nearby stores like Chemist Warehouse and yet-to-open Toyworld.

“I admire your stance – do not compromise on your brand! You have an awesome product and following – as you expand maintaining your identity is critical,” one commenter said, “absolutely love your work!”

“Good on you,” another said.

“Never compromise your branding. Find a landlord who sees your vision,” wrote a third.

Kym Bunting, chief executive of Tramco’s subsidiary Tram Lease Ltd, told the Herald the property investment company hadn’t signed off on the paint job beforehand but was working through differences with the tenant.

Toyworld is preparing to open shortly down the road in Newmarket. Photo / Dean Purcell

“The façade at 270 Broadway was changed to new branding of Phở Yến, who is not our leaseholder, without obtaining prior approval from the lessor, Tram Lease Ltd (Tram), as required under the lease,” Bunting said.

“Tram has asked our tenant, Thao Vo, why this was changed and requested the facade be restored.

“We are continuing to meet with Thao Vo to discuss their request to change the facade and understand whether they intend to transfer the lease to a different entity, Phở Yến.”