Who Owns itsu?

Who owns itsu?

Julian Metcalfe. itsu Limited's accounts to 1 January 2026 say the ultimate controlling party is Mr J Metcalfe, who owns 55.6% of the parent, Butterfly 21 Topco Limited.

Bridgepoint invested in June 2021 as a minority shareholder to help grow itsu's grocery and international business. On 9 September 2026 Sky News reported that Bridgepoint was preparing to sell its stake, with Goldman Sachs advising. No sale had been announced when we checked on 15 Oct 2026.

A Companies House filing made on 15 October 2026 records Metcalfe's majority stake as held through his own company, MFC Global Limited, from 2 October 2026.

Who founded itsu?

Julian Metcalfe founded itsu. With Sinclair Beecham he built Pret A Manger from 1986, and he opened the first itsu, in Chelsea, London, in 1997.

itsu's own story page says the idea came from a winter trip to Tokyo in 1994. itsu Soho followed a few years after Chelsea. Companies House lists Metcalfe as a director of itsu Limited since December 1996.

Who runs itsu now?

Since August 2026, Greg Thorp and Tom Springett have been joint managing directors of itsu's restaurants. Clive Schlee, the former Pret chief executive, moved from chief executive to a board role.

Thorp is also group finance director, and Springett joined as property director. itsu's resident nutritionist is Dr Emma Astaire.

How big is itsu?

The itsu group had turnover of £200.8m in the 52 weeks to 1 January 2026, up 14.1%, and a profit before tax of £3.9m. The restaurant company alone turned over £123.7m with a loss of £5.75m.

The group's operating profit included a one-off £7.4m benefit linked to a grocery incentive plan, the accounts say. Figures are from the accounts filed at Companies House on 7 September 2026.

How many itsu restaurants are there?

itsu's store finder lists 76 UK restaurants and one at Brussels Airport. itsu's homepage says 83 restaurants, its regional menu adds up to 81, and Bridgepoint says 85, so the published figures do not agree.

54 of the UK restaurants are in Greater London. See itsu locations. A few sites are run by franchise partners, including Exeter, Wembley and Windsor.

Does itsu own the supermarket range?

Yes. itsu grocery is part of the same group, and its revenue grew 33% to £75.8m in the year to 1 January 2026.

itsu says its noodles worth loving range, created with chef Monica Galetti, sells 10 million units a year in the UK. See itsu supermarket products.

Why does itsu call itself health[ier]?

itsu says customers call it health[ier] because it serves no junk food. It describes its menu as protein-packed, 40% plant-based and full of vegetables and wholegrains, with most dishes under 500 calories.

On itsu's own figures, 15 of the 38 mains we list are under 500 kcal. See is itsu healthy for the full picture, including salt.