Who Owns The Ivy Restaurant?
The ownership of The Ivy Restaurant is a subject of continued interest, not just because of its celebrity clientele and iconic status, but also due to its complex business structure and recent rumors of high-value sales. Understanding who truly owns The Ivy depends on which Ivy restaurant you’re referring to: the famed London institution or its equally celebrated Los Angeles namesake. This post delves deep into the current and historical ownership, the key players involved, and what the future may hold for these celebrated dining destinations.
Top Takeaways
- The Ivy in London and the UK is currently controlled by billionaire restaurateur Richard Caring, with a significant financial stake also held by Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani, the former Prime Minister of Qatar.
- A potential £1bn sale of The Ivy’s parent company, Troia (UK) Restaurants Limited, is in advanced stages, potentially altering ownership soon[1][4][7].
- Richard Caring and his network also oversee sister brands like The Ivy Asia and Ivy Café, with expansion plans, including ventures into the US[7].
- The Ivy in Los Angeles is separately owned and operated by chef Richard Irving and designer Lynn von Kersting, who run it as a family business[8].
- For more in-depth ownership breakdowns of UK-based restaurants, WhoOwns.co.uk offers authoritative and continually updated information.
- The distinction between the UK and US “Ivy” restaurants is crucial—each has separate ownership and history.
Table of Contents
The Ivy Restaurant: An Iconic Brand Across Continents
Who Owns The Ivy in London and the UK?
Ownership of The Ivy Los Angeles
Current Developments: The Potential Sale of The Ivy
Quick Guide: Who Owns Other Related Ivy Venues?
Why Ownership Matters: Impact on Dining Experience and Brand
Explore More About UK Restaurant Ownership
Frequently Asked Questions
The Ivy Restaurant: An Iconic Brand Across Continents
The Ivy is not just one restaurant—it’s an international brand synonymous with luxury, celebrity, and culinary excellence.
In the UK, The Ivy refers to the luminary Covent Garden venue and a collection of over 40 brasserie-style spin-offs across the country. In Los Angeles, it’s a landmark celebrity haunt on Robertson Boulevard. While they share a name and glamorous reputation, their ownership and business models are independent and distinct.
Who Owns The Ivy in London and the UK?
The Ivy’s British arm is currently controlled by billionaire restaurateur Richard Caring, who is known for his extensive investments in upscale hospitality across London.
- The business is officially run through Troia (UK) Restaurants Limited, the parent company behind The Ivy and its sister concepts, including Ivy Asia, Ivy Café, and Granary Square Brasserie[7].
- Richard Caring holds a controlling share, making him the primary architect of The Ivy’s UK expansion. In recent years, his stake has reportedly been split 50/50 with Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani, the former Qatari PM[1][7].
- WhoOwns.co.uk provides deeper insights into the share structure, updates on pending sales, and related hospitality groups—see their dedicated page on who owns The Ivy Restaurant.
Key highlights about UK operations:
- The Ivy Collection runs more than 40 venues in the UK and Ireland[7].
- Annabel’s, The George Club, Harry’s Bar, and Brasserie of Light are also part of the broader group potentially affected by any sale[4].
- The rumored new owner could be Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan[4].
Want to discover more about other British hospitality ownership? Visit WhoOwns.co.uk.
Ownership of The Ivy Los Angeles
The Ivy in Los Angeles is independently owned by chef Richard Irving and interior designer Lynn von Kersting, who, with their daughter India von Kersting Irving, have run the business since 1983[8].
- This Hollywood institution is not connected to the UK-based Ivy Collection.
- The same family also owns Ivy at the Shore in Santa Monica and Dolce Isola, a bakery in Beverlywood, as well as the boutique shop Indigo Seas[8].
- The Los Angeles Ivy is famed for its charming décor, power-lunch crowd, and iconic status in celebrity culture[5].
If you’re specifically interested in the Los Angeles restaurant, note it’s completely separate from the London and UK Ivy brand.
Current Developments: The Potential Sale of The Ivy
As of 2025, Richard Caring is reportedly in advanced stages of selling his controlling share in The Ivy’s UK business.
- Reports indicate the sale could value the group at around £1bn, with Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan named as a leading potential buyer[4].
- Caring’s exit may mark the end of an era—he is expected to walk away from the company completely, though previous talks suggested he might retain a minor stake[7].
- Troia (UK) Restaurants Limited’s latest financial filings reveal robust revenue growth but a reduction in profit—often a sign of an active, competitive sale environment
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