It has been reported that celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has plans to open up to 50 new sites across the UK, despite Coronavirus complications.
According to the Daily Mail, Ramsay believes that his new ventures could create up to 2000 jobs, both in the restaurants themselves at head office level. Speaking to the publication he said: 'We have big dreams, big plans and a global strategy so ambitious it takes my breath away.
'We have had to acknowledge and review the impact of the horrendous coronavirus pandemic.
'We continue to be optimistic and ambitious, knowing it is more important than ever before to invest in our industry, to support suppliers and to create jobs.'
While the chef’s current offering is concentrated in London, this latest move is thought to see his empire expand outside of the capital with openings in cities like Manchester and Newcastle.
Despite other restaurants closing during this difficult time, Ramsay seems confident that he would be able to make his planned expansion work. Current figures suggest that the group are in a strong position, with his group Gordon Ramsay Restaurants making pre-tax profits of £15.1 million as of August 2019.
It’s not just his own experience that he’ll be drawing on for the huge growth of his company either, as he intends to take into consideration the slip-ups of other similar businesses.
'I've lived and breathed the restaurant business for over 30 years. Fundamentally our focus is and will always be on the guest and their experience.
'We have seen the mistakes others have made by not being focused, we do not intend to make the same mistakes,' he said.
Current outlets in his portfolio in the UK include his three Michelin starred eatery Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea, his new opening Lucky Cat in Mayfair and Petrus in Belgravia. Alongside these fine-dining establishments the group also own lower-key destinations such as Union Street Café and Street Pizza. It’s thought that the new openings will include a new burger restaurant concept with an all you can eat format, as well as further openings overseas.
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