Jamie Oliver’s Jamie’s Italian to Relaunch in UK Backed by Brava Hospitality Group
Jamie Oliver’s Jamie’s Italian restaurant chain, which once operated around 40 sites, collapsed in 2019, leading to approximately 1,000 job losses. Oliver attributed the struggles to challenges within the casual-dining sector, the decline of the high street, and soaring business rates. The brand originally launched in 2008 in Oxford with the mentorship of Gennaro Contaldo and grew to about 40 locations before restructurings from 2017 reduced its presence.
Following the 2019 collapse, Jamie’s Italian continues to operate internationally with over 30 restaurants across 25 countries. Jamie Oliver still runs around 70 restaurants worldwide through franchising.
Now, Brava Hospitality Group, the owner of the Prezzo chain, is backing a UK relaunch of Jamie’s Italian, starting with a new location in Leicester Square. The group plans to revive the brand across the UK. Ed Loftus, global director of Jamie Oliver Restaurants, described the Brava partnership as an exciting new chapter, emphasizing that the quality at the first location will be crucial for future growth.
Financially, Jamie Oliver Holdings saw pre-tax profits fall to £2.4 million last year, even as sales increased by 6% to £28.6 million. This was assisted by the opening of a directly run restaurant in November 2023. Oliver and his wife paid themselves £2.5 million in dividends for the second consecutive year.
