Jamie Oliver to open 21 new restaurants abroad just six months after collapse of his UK business cost 1,000 people their jobs
Jamie Oliver is launching a new chain of restaurants just six months after his UK empire collapsed putting around 1,000 staff out of a job.
The TV chef will open new sites in Bali and Bangkok in the next two weeks, before 19 other outlets open around the world before the end of next year.
The sites in Bali and Bangkok are being converted from Jamie’s Italian restaurants into a new brand focused on world food called Jamie Oliver Kitchen.
Oliver was heavily criticised for calling in administrators in May after failing to rescue his 25-restaurant chain despite there being a rescue offer on the table.
Jamie Oliver has announced he is to open 21 new restaurants around the world
It comes just six months after workers lost their jobs when his restaurant chain collapsed
The chef, who spent £25m of his own money trying to save the business, broke down in tears in a television interview in August, admitting he ‘got cocky’.
In September, his businesses reported a 46pc fall in profits to £7.8m for last year, and he paid himself a £5.2m dividend.
The new outlets, the first of which will open on Thursday, will be run by franchise partner HPL.
The firm said they will have a ‘relaxed and contemporary feel’ with an open kitchen, larger tables for sharing, sofas and ‘casual bar dining’.
The company said the menus ‘will tap into the very best of Jamie Oliver, and be easily adapted to local flavours and food trends’.
One of the converted sites will be near the Kuta Beach in Bali, it was announced yesterday
The other will be in the Siam Discovery shopping centre in Bangkok
Announcing the new move, Oliver said: ‘Over the past 20 years, I have travelled around the world to discover exciting flavour combinations, picking up incredible influences along the way. T
‘he new restaurants will bring those inspirations to life and serve some of my absolute all-time favourites.
‘Whether you want to grab a quick bite in a relaxed setting, have a proper sit down meal with friends and family, or grab a drink at the bar, we have created a beautiful space for everyone to enjoy the food I truly love.’