Jamie Oliver’s Cookery Empire Cuts Dividend as Profits Nearly Halve

Jamie Oliver Holdings paid a £1.5 million dividend, more than 40 % lower than the previous year, after pre-tax profit fell from £2.4 million to £1.25 million. Sales in 2025 were roughly £28.4 million, a slight decline of £160,000 from the year before, while the group’s overall profit slump reflected a £1.46 million charge for a restructuring that eliminated about 20 media-team positions.

The Guardian

The bulk of the business’s income—royalties, licensing and endorsements—declined by close to £2 million to £15.9 million, driven by the end of a major Tesco partnership in 2024 and weaker performance in the Tefal pan range. By contrast, the owned restaurant segment grew 17 % to £4.3 million, and overseas franchise locations added 6.5 % to £4 million. Cookery-school revenue surged 48 % to £1.6 million, helped by a new school opening within John Lewis’s Oxford Street outlet, though pre-opening costs for that site weighed on profit.

The Guardian

The Oliver brand opened a new Jamie Oliver restaurant on Catherine Street in 2023, marking a return to the UK market with a menu focused on British produce. A further Jamie’s Italian venue launched in Leicester Square, backed by Brava Hospitality Group, the owner of the revived chain that previously collapsed with £83 million in debt. A spokesperson announced plans for ten additional franchise restaurants worldwide this year, including a recent opening in Abu Dhabi and earlier launches in Bahrain and India.

The Guardian

Company filings highlighted the release of new book and TV titles, noting strong sales of the “Eat Yourself Healthy” cookbook, which sold nearly 70,000 copies in its first week and became a global bestseller. The same filings emphasized continued performance from back-catalogue titles and international television distribution. The spokesperson also mentioned a new social-media “micro drama” series created to promote the Life360 family-tracking app.

The Guardian

The dividend cut and profit decline underscore the vulnerability of Oliver’s royalty-heavy model, even as restaurant and school segments show growth. Continued franchise expansion abroad may offset domestic revenue pressures, but the reliance on high-cost media projects and licensing deals suggests the group will need to balance expansion with cost control to sustain profitability.

The Guardian