The Jamie Oliver Group will buy back the six Jamie’s Italian franchise restaurants in Australia from the Keystone Group. The hospitality company went into receivership earlier this year.
In a press release put out on November 3 by receiver Ferrier Hodgson, which is looking after the sale of all venues, Jamie Oliver is quoted as saying the receivership was in no way a reflection on the performance of his namesake restaurants. “The best news that could come out of the situation I’ve been placed in is for me to buy back the Jamie’s Italian franchise. I believe in it and our Australian team 100 per cent.”
In the statement Oliver goes on to say: “It will allow us to invest even more time and money in people and restaurants, celebrate great Aussie produce and be even more creative.” There are franchises in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra and two in Sydney.
The Keystone Group's other venues are currently being sold to different buyers. Earlier this month, it was announced six of its venues were bought by Melbourne company Dixon Hospitality. Venues yet to be sold include Chophouse Perth and Sydney, The Sugarmill Hotel and Gazebo in Sydney and Kingsley’s Brisbane.
This article was updated on November 12, 2016.
