Just days after Dixon Hospitality acquired a number of former Keystone Group venues, the Jamie Oliver Group has been named as the preferred bidder for the Australian Jamie’s Italian restaurant franchise chain.
The restaurants currently form part of the Keystone Group, which went into receivership earlier this year, listing Sydney’s lockout laws and debts incurred from expansion as key contributors.
While six venues including The Rook, The Winery, Cargo Bar and Bungalow 8 have been bought by Dixon Hospitality, a number of other venues remain on the market, including The Chophouse, Gazebo, The Sugarmill Hotel and the Jamie’s Italian restaurants.
Receiver Morgan Kelly said it was an ideal outcome for the Australian Jamie’s Italian franchises to return to parent group ownership and operation.
“Jamie Oliver taking control over the restaurants is an exciting outcome for the restaurant staff and patrons.
“The Australian Jamie’s Italian franchises can now go from strength to strength under the direct management of the Jamie Oliver Group,” Kelly said.
Jamie Oliver said the demise of the Keystone Group is in no way reflective of the performance of the Jamie’s Italian restaurants, which operate in Adelaide, Parramatta, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra and the Sydney CBD.
“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 teams 100 percent.
“This will be a really exciting moment for me personally, and I know the guys will be ecstatic to be back in-house. It will allow us to invest even more time and money in people and restaurants, celebrate great Aussie produce and be even more creative,” Oliver said.