Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has closed all but three of his 25 UK restaurants, resulting in the loss of approximately 1,000 jobs. The business, Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group, called in administrators KPMG on Tuesday. Only outlets at Gatwick airport remain open as administrators seek a buyer, though a further 300 jobs are at risk.
Oliver expressed deep sadness over the collapse, thanking staff and suppliers for their dedication. He noted that his chains had transformed high street dining since launching Jamie's Italian in 2008. The group includes 22 Jamie's Italian outlets, Fifteen and Barbecoa in London, and a Jamie's Diner at Gatwick. Overseas franchises and a deal with Aramark are unaffected.
KPMG partner Will Wright cited a tough trading environment in the casual dining sector, with rising costs and brittle consumer confidence. Despite efforts to find new investment, no suitable deal was reached. All but Gatwick outlets closed due to insufficient funds to continue trading.
The collapse follows a period of heavy competition in the casual dining market, with chains like Carluccio's and Byron Burger also closing outlets. Sales at Jamie's Italian fell nearly 11% last year to £101m, after closing 12 restaurants and making 600 staff redundant. The wider market has seen about six net closures a month over the past year.
Consumer specialist Simon Quirk from Kantar said economic and political uncertainty has made diners reluctant to spend on premium meals, shifting to cheaper options or more experiential dining. The collapse is a blow to Oliver, who rose to fame with The Naked Chef and built a media and restaurant empire.
