Notoriously bombastic TV chef Gordon Ramsay plans to expand his restaurant empire across America after signing a $100 million deal with private-equity firm Lion Capital, according to media reports.
Lion Capital, which also owns noodle chain Wagamama, now shares control of Gordon Ramsay North America with the chef, according to Forbes, and together they plan to open 100 new U.S. units in the next five years.
“I wasn’t ready to pedal this bike up a hill on my own,” Ramsay told the outlet. “That would take me another 15 years. Let’s get this thing done.”
Representatives from the Gordon Ramsay Restaurant Group did not respond to a request to comment on the deal.
Ramsay, a U.K.-based chef, restaurant operator and TV host, owns five restaurants in Las Vegas, including Hell’s Kitchen at Caesars Palace and Fish & Chips at The Linq. His Las Vegas steak concept has expanded to Atlantic City, N.J., and Baltimore.
Gordon Ramsay Steak, Pub & Grill and Fish & Chips are slated for expansion under the deal with Los Angeles- and London-based Lion Capital, according to Forbes.
Ramsay, host of the “Kitchen Nightmares” and “Hell’s Kitchen” TV shows, registered trademarks for several variations of the logo design of the phrase “Great Burger” last year, leading to speculation that he may launch a burger brand.
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