Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has said he is "saddened" by the news that his restaurant chain has entered administration.
The company, which owns Jamie's Italian, Barbecoa and Fifteen, appointed KPMG as its administrators today (Tuesday), which will see 1,300 jobs put at risk across 25 different restaurants.
Reacting to the news, Jamie Oliver said: "I appreciate how difficult this is for everyone affected.
"I would also like to thank all the customers who have enjoyed and supported us over the last decade, it's been a real pleasure serving you."
He added: "We launched Jamie's Italian in 2008 with the intention of positively disrupting mid-market dining in the UK High Street, with great value and much higher quality ingredients, best-in-class animal welfare standards and an amazing team who shared my passion for great food and service. And we did exactly that."
The business has endured a tough couple of years, being forced to close several Jamie's Italian and Barbecoa restaurants amid difficult trading conditions. In 2017, the chef also closed the last of his Union Jacks restaurants after 10 years.
