Souâd El Hamadaoui, Jamie Oliver’s Dutch director, told RTL Z.

Famous TV chef said on Twitter that he was ‘sad’ about his restaurant chain delay must apply. If a company has to do this, it is often a sign of bankruptcy.

‘I’m broken’

“I am devastated that our beloved British restaurants have placed a payment moratorium,” said Oliver. “I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank everyone who has poured their hearts and souls into this company over the years.”

In the United Kingdom (UK), 1,300 jobs are at stake at the Jamie’s Italian, Barbecoa and Fifteen chains. This concerns a total of 25 restaurants, 23 of which belong to the Jamie’s Italian restaurant chain. reports the BBC.

The Dutch restaurant remains open

“This doesn’t mean anything for restaurants in the Netherlands,” said El Hamadaoui, who runs two Jamie’s Italian restaurants in Rotterdam and The Hague for Jamie Oliver Netherlands. “Restaurants in Rotterdam and The Hague remain open.”

According to him, restaurants in the UK are under a separate entity and different arrangements have been made for overseas branches. “We are franchisees,” he said.

Previous Dutch adventures failed

This means that the company has bought the formula milk and owns 100 percent of the restaurant in the Netherlands.

The license to use the Jamie’s Italian name has also been arranged through a separate company that is not included in the restaurant going into receivership in the UK. “There is no change at all here,” El Hamdaoui said.

Last month he was forced to close the pizzeria he operated under the Jamie Oliver’s Pizzeria banner. Payment moratorium requested for branches in Tilburg and Arnhem, Gelderlander reports.

Previous Dutch bankruptcy

Oliver’s restaurant wasn’t always a success. In 2016, the Fifteen restaurant opened in Amsterdam declared bankrupt. Companies can no longer afford high rents.

El Hamadaoui emphasized that Oliver’s empire is much bigger than just restaurants. For example, he points to the many books he has published in various countries. “Restaurants are also opening regularly around the world,” he said.

A year ago we delved into Oliver’s not-always-successful restaurant adventures. Then he had to close 12 of Jamie’s British Italian restaurants.