Jamie Oliver planning to launch Jamie's Italian in North America

Jamie Oliver is planning to launch his high street restaurant chain Jamie's Italian in North America.

The celebrity chef, who has already expanded the concept to the Middle East and Australia, has confirmed he intends to take the brand across the Atlantic, although no specific plans are yet in place.

"Jamie's Italian has a long-term plan to expand into North America but there are no firm plans to open a restaurant there in the immediate future," a spokeswoman said.

Jamie's Italian, which first launched in 2008, currently operates 24 restaurants across Britain. The chain reported pre-tax profits of £4.65m in the 12 months to 2 January 2011, with a turnover of £47.62m.

Jamie's Italian also operates restaurants internationally in Dubai and Sydney, while in 2009, Hong Kong-based Tranic Franchising partnered with Oliver's company to roll out the concept in Asia.

Oliver made his US television debut with his Jamie's American Food Revolution which aired in 2010 and 2011 and won an Emmy for Outstanding Reality Programme in 2010.

In London, he partnered with US barbecue restaurateur Adam Perry Lang to launch Barbecoa in the City, as well as US chef Chris Bianco, with whom he launched his new chain Union Jacks at Central St Giles.

See this week's issue of Caterer and Hotelkeeper for an interview with Bianco.

Jamie Oliver to open second Union Jacks branch in Chiswick >>

Caterer and Hotelkeeper 100: Jamie Oliver >>

By Kerstin Kühn

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