Jamie Oliver in talks to sell restaurants stake to 3i

Jamie Oliver Group has entered talks to sell a majority stake in the celebrity chef's restaurant business to private equity business 3i.

Jamie Oliver has appointed the Royal Bank of Canada to handle discussions over a deal, as well as with other potential buyers, according to Sky News.

The deal could value the restaurants - including Jamie's Italian, Jamie Oliver's Diner and Barbecoa - at £200m.

Oliver has also hired investment bank Raine to dispose of part of his publishing business.

Jamie's Italian was launched in Oxford in 2008 and has nearly 40 UK sites as well as 15 overseas.

It is the most successful of Oliver's restaurant brands. There is currently only one Barbecoa, with a second planned to open in London's Piccadilly later this year.

The sale of the stakes in his businesses is expected to allow further expansion of the restaurant brands.

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