Itsu to raise hourly wages by 11%

Itsu, the 72-site Asian food chain created by Julian Metcalfe, has announced that from tomorrow, September 17, it is increasing the hourly wage for entry-level team members by 11% to a minimum of £10.40 an hour.

This wage increase will immediately benefit 1,000 existing employees, who are paid weekly. The increase will be effective from 1 October for those paid monthly.

The company said it was “incredibly proud” of its track record in helping team members progress their careers, with 90% of store managers having started their journey at Itsu as a team member.

Itsu UK chief executive Ganan Kanagathurai said: “We are delighted to announce we are leading the way in the hospitality industry, increasing wages for new and existing team members. This investment reinforces our commitment to the people that deliver the outstanding quality food and customer service levels we are renowned for in the market. An investment in our people is an investment in the business.”

Julian Metcalfe said: “Our team members are the heart of our business and the face of our brand for our customers in-store. Itsu has always offered an incredibly attractive career path and this announcement will only increase the number of people that want to join our mission to deliver high quality, nutritious food at an affordable price.”

Following the release of its first half results, The Restaurant Group said it was intending on increasing chef wages in areas hardest-hit by the hospitality sector’s ongoing labour shortage. Andy Hornby, chief executive, told the Standard the group will make the move as part of a whole host of measures to attract staff.