Jamie Oliver’s restaurant empire has fallen into administration, putting 1,300 jobs at risk.

The Jamie’s Italian chain, which closed its Bristol branch last year, has appointed KPMG to oversee the insolvency process, according to Sky News.

The Park Street restaurant was one of 12 UK branches to shut in 2018 in a bid to save the business.

But now it is being widely reported that Mr Oliver will close the remaining 23 eateries, which include Fifteen London and Barbecoa.

Jamie's Italian International Limited will continue to trade as normal and Fifteen Cornwall, which operates under a franchise, is also unaffected.

Mr Oliver told the Guardian: “I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank all of the staff and our suppliers who have put their hearts and souls into this business for over a decade. I appreciate how difficult this is for everyone affected.

“I would also like to thank all the customers who have enjoyed and supported us over the last decade, it’s been a real pleasure serving you.

“We launched Jamie’s Italian in 2008 with the intention of positively disrupting mid-market dining in the UK high street, with great value and much higher quality ingredients, best in class animal welfare standards and an amazing team who shared my passion for great food and service. And we did exactly that."

The television chef invest £13million of his own money into the business after running into financial difficulty last year, but it has not been enough to save the business in the long run.

Jamie’s Italian follows in the footsteps of Carluccio’s and Byron Burger, which have also disappeared from Bristol.

A spokesperson for the Jamie Oliver Group said: "The board of Jamie's Italian Limited has appointed Will Wright and Mark Orton of KPMG to put its UK-based restaurant business into administration.” </s> LONDON (AP) — Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's British restaurant chain filed for bankruptcy protection on Tuesday, partly due to increased competition and escalating rents in local commercial districts.

The insolvency will leave 1,000 people out of work and reignited worries about local retail and food outlets in Britain, which are struggling to attract customers much like downtowns in the United States.

"I'm devastated that our much-loved U.K. restaurants have gone into administration," Oliver wrote on Twitter. "I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank all of the staff and our suppliers who have put their hearts and souls into this business over the years."

Financial firm KPMG, which will oversee the process, said all but three of the group's 25 eateries will close. They include restaurants in the Jamie's Italian chain, as will the more upmarket Fifteen, and steak house Barbecoa.

Two restaurants and a diner at Gatwick Airport will continue to operate while joint administrators explore options for the site. Overseas branches of Jamie's Italian, Jamie's Pizzeria and Jamie's Deli, are not affected, nor is Fifteen Cornwall, which operates as a franchise.

Oliver said Jamie's Italian was launched in 2008 "with the intention of positively disrupting mid-market dining" with higher quality ingredients, animal welfare standards, better service and good value.

But the launch came just as local businesses throughout the U.K. were squeezed by the onset of the 2008 financial crisis. Rising food prices, increasing rents and competition took a toll.

The company had been in trouble for at least two years, despite Oliver's global fame on the back of his cookbooks and television shows. Last year, it shuttered 12 of its 37 sites in Britain, while five branches of the Australian arm of Jamie's Italian were sold off and another put into administration.

He has personally pumped 13 million pounds into his Italian chain, but it was not enough.

"I appreciate how difficult this is for everyone affected," he said.

Will Wright, a partner at KPMG and joint administrator, said that the directors at Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group had worked hard to stabilize the business, but costs were rising and consumer confidence was brittle.

He said the priority now is to support those that have been made redundant.

Simon Mydlowski, a partner at Yorkshire law firm Gordons and an expert on the hospitality industry, said Jamie's is the latest brand that has failed to keep pace in a rapidly changing sector where a business needs to keep evolving.

"A number of suppliers will have been caught unawares here, perhaps showing a little too much trust in the Jamie Oliver name, but this is not the first big restaurant chain to have suffered and it won't be the last," he said in a statement.

"Faced with higher rent, rising food prices and increased competition, restaurants need a point of difference — it's no coincidence that smaller brands with the freedom and flexibility to keep things fresh are currently the ones performing well." </s> Hundreds of jobs are at risk after news broke that Jamie Oliver's restaurant group has plunged into administration.

More than 1,000 jobs are under threat as the celebrity chef's confirmed he was 'deeply saddened' to have to call in KPHMG as administrators.

Twenty-five of Oliver's restaurants are affected, 23 of which are from the Jamie's Italian chain which was launched in 2008 and has branches all over the UK including in Liverpool and Manchester.

He said: "I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank all of the staff and our suppliers who have put their hearts and souls into this business for over a decade.

"I appreciate how difficult this is for everyone affected."

It was revealed last year that Jamie's restaurant empire which includes Fifteen, Jamie's Italian and Barbecoa owed staff £2.2million and was in £71.5million of debt.

In February 2018, the company announced the closure of 12 of its 37 restaurants, with 450 job losses in places including Bristol, Reading and Harrogate.

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Your phone number won't be shared with other members of the group. </s> A picture shows the signage at a closed-down Jamie's Italian restaurant in Glasgow on May 21, 2019.

LONDON - British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's restaurant chain said it was entering administration yesterday, threatening jobs at the company's 25 sites in the United Kingdom.

Oliver, 43, who became a well-known figure in Britain and around the world for his popular TV shows, founded his Jamie's Italian brand of high street restaurants in 2008.

His restaurant group also includes Barbecoa, a steakhouse, and Jamie Oliver's Diner.

"I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank all of the staff and our suppliers who have put their hearts and souls into this business for over a decade," he said in a statement.

"I appreciate how difficult this is for everyone affected."

More than 1,000 jobs will be put at risk by the administration, a form of protection from creditors when a company becomes insolvent.

The Jamie Oliver Group said it had appointed Mr Will Wright and Mr Mark Orton of KPMG.

Oliver's restaurant chain is the latest victim of a brutal trading environment on Britain's high streets.

In March, Boparan Restaurant Group said it planned to close more than a third of its Giraffe and Ed's Easy Diner outlets, while Carluccio's, Prezzo, Strada and Gourmet Burger Kitchen closed branches last year. </s> Jamie's Italian restaurant chain has called in the administrators, after failing to stay afloat on its own.

The move puts 1,300 jobs at risk across 25 restaurants - with KPMG set be announced later today to handle the administration process.

Jamie Oliver said: "I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank all of the staff and our suppliers who have put their hearts and souls into this business for over a decade.

"I appreciate how difficult this is for everyone affected."

His international franchises and Fifteen Cornwall, which also operates under a franchise, will not be affected.

Some restaurants have already closed their doors to customers - with signs up in the Manchester and London Victoria branches aleady.

One staff member told the Manchester Evening News: "At 10 o'clock we had two accountants from KMPG show up and they handed us a notice to say that the business has ceased trading as of now.

"We didn't know - nobody was aware of it. There were about 15 of us. It's a bit of a shock to the system to everyone. Some people have been here since day one, so over 10 years."

The celebrity chef's chain opened its first site in Oxford in 2008.

Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall is still very much open, however.

Chief executive Matthew Thomson said: “Fifteen Cornwall operates independently of the Jamie Oliver restaurant group as a charitable social enterprise under licence to Jamie Oliver and therefore is not affected by the changes in the restaurant group.

"Fifteen Cornwall is very much open for business, continuing the legacy started by Jamie at Fifteen, serving amazing Cornish food, mentoring young people and investing in our team. We are currently recruiting chefs and front of house to join our team, ready for a busy summer.”

Last year it emerged the TV chef's restaurant empire owed staff £2.2million and was in £71.5million of debt.

In February 2018, the company announced the closure of 12 of its 37 restaurants, seeing 450 job losses in places including Bristol, Reading and Harrogate.

Last year, Jamie Oliver blamed Brexit on the closure of six of his Jamie's Italian branches. He said poor trading conditions, rising food and staffing costs, and a weakening pound.

It's not the first time the TV chef has been forced to shut restaurants, with 60 staff losing their jobs after Oliver star closed his Barbecoa steak restaurant in London’s Piccadilly last year.

Simon Mydlowski, partner at law firm Gordons and hospitality industry expert, said: “The high street restaurant sector is changing at an incredible pace and it seems Jamie’s is the latest brand that was not able to keep up. To be successful in this sector you have to be constantly evolving – from the menus and the drinks choice, to the way you engage with customers.

“A number of suppliers will have been caught unawares here, perhaps showing a little too much trust in the Jamie Oliver name, but this is not the first big restaurant chain to have suffered and it won’t be the last.

"Faced with higher rent, rising food prices and increased competition, restaurants need a point of difference - it’s no coincidence that smaller brands with the freedom and flexibility to keep things fresh are currently the ones performing well.” </s> Image copyright Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group Image caption Mr Oliver shot to fame 20 years ago

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has said he is "devastated" after his restaurant group went into administration, with 1,000 jobs being lost.

The group, which includes the Jamie's Italian chain, Barbecoa and Fifteen, has appointed KPMG as administrators.

Twenty two of the 25 restaurants in Jamie Oliver's restaurant group have now closed.

Mr Oliver, who put in £4m cash this year, said: "I appreciate how difficult this is for everyone affected."

Two Jamie's Italian restaurants and Jamie Oliver's Diner at Gatwick Airport will continue to trade in the short term while the administrators explore options for the outlets.

"The group had recently undertaken a process to secure additional investment into the business and, since the beginning of this year, Jamie Oliver has made available additional funds of £4m to support the fundraising," said the administrators in a statement.

"However, with no suitable investment forthcoming and in light of the very difficult current trading environment, the directors resolved to appoint administrators."

Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Cornwall at Watergate Bay, which operates under a franchise, is unaffected. The international restaurants trading as Jamie's Italian, Jamie's Pizzeria and Jamie's Deli will also continue to trade as normal.

'Passion'

Mr Oliver tweeted that: "I'm devastated that our much-loved UK restaurants have gone into administration."

And in a statement he added: "I would also like to thank all the customers who have enjoyed and supported us over the last decade, it's been a real pleasure serving you.

"We launched Jamie's Italian in 2008 with the intention of positively disrupting mid-market dining in the UK High Street, with great value and much higher quality ingredients, best-in-class animal welfare standards and an amazing team who shared my passion for great food and service. And we did exactly that."

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Jamie Oliver restaurant worker 'devastated'

Notices have appeared in the windows of the 22 branches which have already closed.

The Unite union said the development was a "devastating blow for the chain's hardworking and loyal workforce".

"Restaurants are not being helped by the current economic uncertainty, although those businesses like Jamie Oliver's that dashed for expansion in recent years seem particularly precarious. As ever, it is the workers at the restaurant and in the supply chain who bear the heavy cost of boardroom decisions."

The union also asked for assurances that staff will be "protected and paid all the money they're owed, including wages, holiday and redundancy".

One Jamie's Italian worker in Birmingham, Valentine Balbinot, said: "It was just so devastating, we were not expecting this... it is really brutal."

Fame

Mr Oliver is known for his Naked Chef books and TV shows, broadcast in dozens of countries, after first being shown in the UK 20 years ago.

He has also campaigned for healthier eating, including in school meals.

Image copyright Getty Images

His chain is the latest victim of a tough trading environment on the UK High Street.

Earlier this year, cafe chain Patisserie Valerie fell into administration, and 70 outlets closed, with the loss of 920 jobs, although 96 shops were saved.

Other mid-market chains that have struggled in recent years have included Byron Burger, Prezzo and Carluccio's.

Mr Oliver's business has faced difficulties over the past two years, with a number of Jamie's Italian and Barbecoa restaurants shutting.

Image caption Closed notices have been posted on a number of outlets, including Jamie's in Glasgow

In 2017, he closed the last of his Union Jacks restaurants and also shut his magazine Jamie, which had been running for almost 10 years.

In December of that year the chef also put £3m of his own money into his restaurant businesses.

Simon Mydlowski, a partner at law firm Gordons and an expert in the hospitality industry, said Jamie's had failed to keep up with changing trends.

"To be successful in this sector you have to be constantly evolving - from the menus and the drinks choice, to the way you engage with customers."

"Faced with higher rent, rising food prices and increased competition, restaurants need a point of difference - it's no coincidence that smaller brands with the freedom and flexibility to keep things fresh are currently the ones performing well." </s> LONDON (Reuters) - British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s restaurant chain said it was entering administration on Tuesday, threatening jobs at the firm’s 25 sites in the United Kingdom.

Oliver, 43, who became a well-known figure in Britain and beyond for his popular TV shows, founded his Jamie’s Italian brand of high street restaurants in 2008.

His restaurant group also includes Barbecoa, a steakhouse, and Jamie Oliver’s Diner.

“I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank all of the staff and our suppliers who have put their hearts and souls into this business for over a decade,” he said in a statement. “I appreciate how difficult this is for everyone affected.”

More than 1,000 jobs will be put at risk by the administration, a form of protection from creditors. The Jamie Oliver Group said it had appointed Will Wright and Mark Orton of KPMG.

Oliver, who was discovered by the BBC while working as a chef in London’s River Cafe, gained widespread fame for his “Naked Chef” show, which was broadcast in dozens of countries.

He used his reputation to put pressure on politicians to combat growing child obesity problems by campaigning for healthier school meals.

Oliver’s restaurant chain is the latest victim of a brutal trading environment on Britain’s high streets.

In March, Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG) said it planned to close more than a third of its Giraffe and Ed’s Easy Diner outlets, while Carluccio’s, Prezzo, Strada and Gourmet Burger Kitchen closed branches in 2018. </s> LONDON (Reuters) - Around 1,000 jobs will be made redundant at Jamie Oliver’s UK restaurant chain, the group’s administrators KPMG said on Tuesday, as all but 3 of its 25 branches are closed with immediate effect.

“All but three of the Group’s 25 eateries have closed. Both Jamie’s Italian restaurants and Jamie Oliver’s Diner at Gatwick Airport will continue to trade in the short term while the joint administrators explore options for the site,” KPMG said in a statement.

“Regrettably, these closures will result in approximately 1,000 redundancies.” </s> Jamie Oliver’s restaurant chain Jamie’s Italian has appointed administrators, putting more than 1,000 jobs at risk. The business said it had appointed KPMG to oversee the process, with a more detailed announcement expected later on Tuesday.

Mr Oliver said: “I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank all of the staff and our suppliers who have put their hearts and souls into this business for over a decade. I appreciate how difficult this is for everyone affected. “I would also like to thank all the customers who have enjoyed and supported us over the last decade, it’s been a real pleasure serving you.

“We launched Jamie’s Italian in 2008 with the intention of positively disrupting mid-market dining in the UK high street, with great value and much higher quality ingredients, best-in-class animal welfare standards and an amazing team who shared my passion for great food and service. And we did exactly that.”

It follows a hunt for a new investor in the brand, with a number of private equity firms touted as mulling bids for a stake in the business.

Mr Oliver’s restaurant empire has taken a few knocks over the past two years. In 2018 Jamie’s Italian shuttered 12 of its 37 sites, with the latter tranche executed through a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA). The TV chef’s steak house Barbecoa also went into a pre-pack administration, leading to the closure of its Piccadilly branch.

Overseas, five branches of the Australian arm of Jamie’s Italian was sold off last year, while another was put into administration. Despite the troubles, which forced Mr Oliver to pump £13 million of his own money into his Italian chain, he told Press Association earlier this year that casual dining was primed for a comeback.

Mr Oliver’s name hangs over the door of one restaurant in the Republic. Jamie’s Italian, in Dundrum Town Centre, is a franchise arrangement operated by Gerard Fitzpatrick. Mr Fitzpatrick told The Irish Times in February last year that he was “nearly there” with negotiations for the site of a second restaurant.

“We’re very confident in its future. It’s a fantastic business,” he said of Jamie Oliver’s international brand. It is not yet clear how the Irish business will be affected, if at all.
The Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group, owned by British restaurateur Jamie Oliver, collapses into administration, resulting in 1,000 job losses.