Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver says he’s excited to take on the Australian chain of restaurants that bear his name after the collapse of their previous owner.

Oliver stepped in to buy the Australian Jamie’s Italian franchise, ending uncertainty about its future following Keystone Hospitality Group going into receivership in June this year.

The British chef was confirmed as the preferred bidder by Keystone’s receivers on Thursday, and said the Australian franchises were some of the best performing in the world.

“The best news that could come out of the situation I’ve been placed in is for me to buy back the Jamie’s Italian franchise. I believe in it and our Australian teams 100 per cent,” Oliver said in a statement.

“This will be a really exciting moment for me personally, and I know the guys will be ecstatic to be back in-house.”

Oliver said the move would allow his company to invest “more time and money in people and restaurants” and would complement his media, licensing and educational operations in Australia.

There are more than 60 Jamie’s Italian restaurants in the United Kingdom and around the world, including two in Sydney and one each in Perth, Canberra, Brisbane and Adelaide.

The Australian restaurants have continued to trade normally throughout Keystone’s receivership.

AAP

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