The group behind Jamie’s Italian has announced that it could open as many as 40 restaurants nationwide over the next decade. The popular Italian dining chain closed its doors back in 2019, resulting in the closure of 22 restaurants and the loss of more than 1,000 jobs. Now, after several years away, Jamie’s Italian is set for a major revival, relaunching later this year with a new flagship site in Leicester Square.
This new venture sees TV chef Jamie Oliver partnering with Brava Hospitality, the company behind Prezzo Italian, who signed a franchise agreement to bring Jamie's Italian back to the UK.
Prezzo Italian’s Chief Financial Officer, Dean Challenger, stated that bringing the chain back to the UK is ‘a significant opportunity, with the development agreement allowing up to 40 sites to be opened over an initial 10 years period.’ He also added that the agreement also 'includes the exclusive rights to airports and any further concepts that are launched by Jamie Oliver in the UK.’
At its height, Jamie’s Italian operated 36 sites across the UK, alongside Oliver’s other ventures Barbecoa and Fifteen. This new plan would see the brand exceed its previous peak.
In a recently released annual report for 2024, Prezzo restaurants reported £92.6 million, down from £110.4 million the previous year. However, Brava says that the strategic investment and operational changes that were made throughout 2025 are expected to deliver ‘significantly enhanced’ profits for the group in 2026.
The business rebranded back in September, changing its holding name to Brava Hospitality, and putting the focus on future acquisitions and multi-brand development. Following these changes, Brava anticipates its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) will exceed £3 million in 2025, despite ongoing cost inflation.
If predictions are correct, we can expect to see Jamie's Italian reclaim its place in the UK's casual dining scene, returning on an even bigger scale than before.
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