Fernando Alonso launches new business venture despite Lewis Hamilton warning signs

Fernando Alonso announced his investment in a chain of sushi restaurants at a time when Lewis Hamilton’s vegan burger eateries shut down completely in the UK. The British driver's Neat Burger, which he started with fellow A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio, is facing 150 job losses after posting financial losses.

Neat Burger, which boasted 100 per cent plant-based meals, confirmed that it was closing its two UK locations after six years of business. Hamilton became vegan in 2017 and has since pushed for healthier food options for consumers while out and about.

But the celebs’ chain of restaurants have pulled out of the UK market entirely.

Alonso will hope that his venture into the food industry will prove more fruitful despite his fellow F1 driver's potential warning.

ThisIsMoney claim that Alonso has bought a stake upwards of 20 per cent in Sticks 'n' Sushi alongside McWin Capital Partners, its private equity backer.

Alonso’s purchase has been described as “a meaningful investment” with the business expected to turn over approximately £100million, and a bottom-line profit margin of 10 per cent.

McWin purchased a majority stake in the chain just over a year ago.

“I am excited to have partnered with McWin to invest in the Sticks’n’Sushi restaurant group with the clear objective of making it the ‘brand’ of reference in the Japanese food segment in Great Britain and Europe,” said Alonso. “Together we share the same core values, and I look forward to this fantastic journey with McWin.”

Harry Goss, chairman of Sticks’n’Sushi and partner at McWin, added: “We’ve enjoyed a great partnership with Fernando from the early days of our incorporation.

“His investment into Sticks’n’Sushi is a tremendous validation of the quality of the business and the clear opportunity it has on the road ahead. “Fernando Alonso and Sticks’n’Sushi have a shared passion for excellence, and we are excited to see what this partnership will bring.”

In February 2024, Alonso claimed that they were his “go-to restaurant” in the UK and just over a year later, has realised his ambition of becoming involved with the restaurant.

Sticks'n'Sushi is a sushi and yakitori restaurant based in Copenhagen and now has 15 restaurants in the UK, with three more in Berlin.

New London locations in Richmond, Islington and Battersea Power Station have recently opened and underline why Alonso was determined to invest.

The Aston Martin driver, 43, has a contract only until the end of the F1 season and has endured a miserable campaign so far.

He is just one of four drivers not to pick up a single point through the opening five races, along with Liam Lawson, Jack Doohan and Gabriel Bortoleto. The Spaniard will be hoping for more success on and off the grid in the coming months.