With absolute certainty, they will go into liquidation. The AFD...

With absolute certainty, they will go into liquidation. The AFD business closed yesterday with virtually everybody laid off. The franchisees have been left stranded. Attempts at selling the business throughout late last year have come to nothing. There is little if any appetite, so it would appear, for the AFD business to survive or be resurrected. So, liquidation will likely happen promptly following on from the first creditors meeting. Your relation back concern is therefore quite legitimate.