Hamilton’s Neat Burger UK Closes Down, Resulting in Job Losses
United Kingdom – Lewis Hamilton’s plant-based burger chain, Neat Burger, has ceased operations in the United Kingdom, leading to the loss of approximately 150 jobs. The closure marks the end of the celebrity-backed venture’s presence in its home market after six years of trading.
Neat Burger, co-founded by the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion along with actor Leonardo DiCaprio and other investors, aimed to provide a sustainable and delicious plant-based fast-food alternative. The first restaurant opened in London near Regent Street in 2019, with ambitious plans for expansion across the UK and internationally.
However, the company has faced significant financial headwinds in recent years. Reports indicate substantial losses, with £7.9 million lost in 2022, more than double the £3.2 million loss recorded in 2021. In an attempt to mitigate these losses, Neat Burger closed several of its London locations in late 2023 and also shut down its New York branch. At the time, a company spokesperson suggested this was a strategic “step back to make a bigger leap forward.”
Despite these efforts, the situation did not improve. By early 2025, only two Neat Burger locations remained in the UK, situated in Camden and Wembley, London. These final two branches have now also closed their doors permanently, confirming the company’s complete withdrawal from the UK market.
A spokesperson for Neat Burger confirmed the closure, stating, “We have no further comment at this time, other than to confirm that the business has taken the difficult decision to close its UK restaurants.” This decision has reportedly resulted in around 150 employees facing redundancy.
In a letter to shareholders earlier this year, Neat Burger co-founder Tommaso Chiabra acknowledged the challenging market conditions, noting that customers had become “flighty and cost-conscious.” He also mentioned that a new menu launch in late 2024 failed to prevent a significant drop in customer transactions, a trend that continued into the first quarter of 2025.
While Neat Burger’s UK operations have ceased, the company still maintains a presence internationally with two remaining branches in Milan, Italy. The closure in the UK represents a significant setback for Hamilton’s off-track business ventures, coinciding with a challenging start to his career with Ferrari in the 2025 Formula 1 season.
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