Former BrewDog CEO James Brown is leading the return of Jamie’s Italian to the UK high street as CEO of Brava Hospitality Group, the operator behind the rebrand of Prezzo Italian.
Brava has partnered with Jamie Oliver to bring back the restaurant brand, Jamie’s Italian, starting with a flagship opening in London’s Leicester Square in spring 2026. The move is backed by Brava’s majority investor, Cain International.
Brown, who joined Brava in late 2024, said, “We’ve seen the magic of Jamie’s Italian around the world, and we believe deeply in the power of his brand. 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.”
Jamie Oliver added, “As a chef, having the chance to return to the high street is incredibly important to me. In theory it’s not the easiest time to return but conversely, I think it’s the perfect time. I believe the mid-market needs excitement, surprise and delight and that’s exactly what I am planning on delivering.”
He continued, “I think the public wants freshly made delicious food at a reasonable price with an award winning kids menu. Eating out is a treat but I believe it should offer value for money with higher welfare sourcing. I will drive the menus, make sure the sourcing is right, the staff training and ensure the look and feel of the restaurant is brought to life in the right way. All the effort, time, love and attention will be the same as before.”
Jamie’s Italian currently operates in more than 30 locations across 15 countries. The UK relaunch will see a streamlined menu, with a focus on fresh pasta and returning dishes such as prawn linguine and Gennaro’s bolognese.
The move comes off the back of a strong year for Brava. Since Brown took the helm, the rebranded Prezzo Italian has recorded 11% like-for-like sales growth in Q3, with refurbished sites delivering an average 60% uplift on the previous year.
Ed Loftus, Global Director of Jamie Oliver Restaurants, said: “This partnership brings together one of the world’s most recognised chefs with a capable operator and the long-term investment to build something with real longevity. Our priority is making the first location exceptional.”