Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has announced the first location for his long-awaited UK restaurant comeback, six years after his previous chain collapsed. The flagship site for the relaunched Jamie's Italian will open in Leicester Square, London, in February 2026.
A Major Comeback for the High Street
This marks Oliver's second attempt to conquer the UK's competitive restaurant scene. His original chain, launched in 2008 in Oxford with fellow chef Gennaro Contaldo, grew to around 40 sites before its high-profile collapse in 2019, resulting in significant job losses.
For this new venture, Oliver is partnering with Brava Hospitality Group, the operator behind the Prezzo chain. The partnership is not just about a single restaurant; Brava's CFO Dean Challenger has revealed an ambitious development agreement. This plan allows for up to 40 new Jamie's Italian locations to be opened across the UK over the next decade.
Building on Overseas Success
While the UK business faltered, Jamie's Italian brand has continued to thrive internationally, with 30 restaurants currently operating across 25 countries. The UK relaunch aims to bring this revitalised, globally-tested concept back to Oliver's home market.
Speaking in December 2025, Oliver expressed his passion for the project: "As a chef, having the chance to return to the high street is incredibly important to me. I believe the mid-market needs excitement, surprise and delight and that's exactly what I am planning on delivering."
A Long-Term Vision for Hospitality
The franchise agreement with Brava is comprehensive, granting them exclusive rights to operate in UK airports and for any future concepts Oliver launches domestically. This indicates a strategic, long-term partnership rather than a one-off reopening.
Ed Loftus, Global Director of Jamie Oliver Restaurants, called it an "exciting next chapter," highlighting the blend of Oliver's culinary vision with Brava's operational expertise.
Echoing this sentiment, James Brown, Chief Executive of Brava, stated: "Our ambition is to bring world-class Italian dining to the heart of the UK high street. A lot of time and energy has gone into evolving the Jamie's Italian concept to make that vision a reality."
The relaunch in Leicester Square next month will be the first test of this evolved concept, setting the stage for a potential nationwide expansion that aims to rekindle the brand's former prominence in British dining.
