Jamie Oliver looking for a pukka pay day as restaurants go to tender
British private equity firm 3i has been named as one of several prospective bidders being courted to buy a significant stake in Jamie Oliver’s burgeoning restaurant empire.
3i, which counts itself among some of the UK’s oldest private equity firm’s, has previously invested in restaurant chain Giraffe, which it subsequently sold to Tesco.
Bids for a share of Oliver’s chain, which includes brands Jamie’s Italian and Jamie Oliver’s Diner, are expected to start next week, with the business likely to be valued at around £200m.
Oliver is being advised on the current process by Royal Bank of Canada. The deal will be a separate transaction to his ongoing discussions with media groups regarding the sale of shares in his publishing company.
Oliver’s vast business interests also include TV production firm Fresh One Productions.