Jamie Oliver ‘saddened’ as restaurant business enters administration

Jamie Oliver’s restaurant chains have entered administration, putting up to 1,300 jobs at risk across Jamie’s Italian, Barbecoa and Fifteen.

Oliver said he was “saddened” after the group appointed KPMG to handle its administration process, which will affect 25 restaurants, 23 of which are operating under the Jamie’s Italian name. It is expected that KPMG will look for a new buyer for the restaurant group.

Oliver said: “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.”