Shouty chef Gordon Ramsay has secured a US$100m investment from private equity firm Lion Capital to open 100 new restaurants in America by 2024.
As reported by Forbes, Lion Capital now owns 50% of Gordon Ramsay North America, while the other 50% of the company is controlled by Ramsay.
Having sought an investor for over a year to build his restaurant empire in America, the deal will see Ramsay open 100 restaurants in the US over the next five years.
“I wasn’t ready to pedal this bike up a hill on my own. That would take me another 15 years. I fell in love with America 20 years ago. There’s a will here. My goal right now is to establish one of the most exciting food brands in America,” Ramsay toldForbes.
“Being a control freak, I needed the right partner on board. There are a lot of businesses that don’t like that kind of stranglehold. For me, the partnership was crucial,” he added.
Ramsay currently has eight restaurants across in the US in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Baltimore in partnership with Caesars Entertainment.
Among the brands that will be expanded as part of the new deal are Gordon Ramsay Steak, Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill, and Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips.
His Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas makes $20,000 a day in fish and chips alone, with 1,300 guests coming through the door daily.
According toEater, Ramsay trademarked the name ‘Great Burgers’ last year, so a burger chain is also likely to be launched as part of the Lion Capital deal. Lion Capital has offices in London and LA, and has also invested in noodle chain Wagamama.
