Jamie Oliver to relaunch Italian restaurant chain in UK six years after collapse

"Jamie Oliver is to revive his Jamie's Italian restaurant chain in the UK, more than six years after the celebrity chef's brand collapsed. Jamie's Italian is poised to be relaunched in the spring, starting with a restaurant in London's Leicester Square. Oliver's return to the UK restaurant scene is being backed by Brava Hospitality Group the private equity-backed group that runs the Prezzo chain which intends to relaunch the brand across the UK."

"As a chef, having the chance to return to the high street is incredibly important to me, he said. I will drive the menus, make sure the sourcing is right, the staff training, and ensure the look and feel of the restaurant is brought to life in the right way."

"Jamie's Italian was first launched with his mentor, the chef Gennaro Contaldo, in Oxford in 2008. The brand was expanded to about 40 sites at its peak, before a series of restructuring programmes started to reduce the number of locations from 2017. Two years later the now 50-year-old was forced to call in the administrators after a sales process that sought to bring in new investment into the business proved unsuccessful."

"Oliver's return comes at a time when the hospitality industry faces several challenges including soaring food inflation, increasing wage costs and lacklustre trade as consumers rein in spending on non-essentials amid higher household bills. In theory it's not the easiest time to return but conversely, I think it's the perfect time, Oliver said. I believe the mid-market needs excitement, surprise and delight and that's exactly what I am planning on delivering."

Jamie Oliver plans to relaunch Jamie's Italian in the UK in spring, beginning with a restaurant in London's Leicester Square. The relaunch is backed by Brava Hospitality Group, the private equity-backed operator of the Prezzo chain, which intends to roll out the brand nationwide. Oliver will oversee menus, sourcing, staff training, and restaurant design. Jamie's Italian originally opened in Oxford in 2008 with Gennaro Contaldo and expanded to about 40 sites before restructuring from 2017. Financial pressures forced administrators in 2019 and led to 1,000 job losses. The brand continues overseas with more than 30 restaurants in 25 countries. The relaunch faces inflation, wage and consumer-spending challenges, but Oliver says he will bring excitement to the mid-market.

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