Gordon Ramsay to expand restaurant empire to South Korea

Gordon Ramsay is to expand his restaurant empire to South Korea under a new partnership.

The chef is to launch his first Gordon Ramsay Burger in Seoul's Lotte World Mall in December, with ‘numerous dining outlets' under his various brands planned over the next ten years.

It follows a deal between Gordon Ramsay Restaurants and Jin Kyoung Co.Ltd, a fashion and licensing company which is moving into the food and beverage business.

Andy Wenlock, chief executive of Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, said the group was "excited about the future possibilities of this joint venture in this new market".

Ramsay's restaurant business runs 34 sites in the UK and a further 19 internationally in countries including the United States, France, Dubai and Singapore. The company holds seven Michelin stars across its portfolio.

The first Gordon Ramsay Burger brand debuted in Las Vegas nearly a decade ago and a site opened in Harrods in London last year.

Ramsay said: "[South Korea is] an amazing and an inspiring place to eat out. We have so many ideas to bring to life through this new partnership with the team at JK, and I cannot wait to get going."

The chef is embarking on a major expansion of his UK business, including opening multiple Street Burger and Street Pizza restaurants in London and a Bread Street Kitchen in Edinburgh, 17 years after his last Scottish site closed its doors.

He has also taken over operations of the River restaurant at the Savoy hotel in London, which is due to open on 11 October.