Eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt may have just suffered a disappointing end to his athletics career at the London World Championships – but he appears to have set his sights on an entirely new line of work.
Bolt is bringing Jamaican eatery Usain Bolt’s Tracks & Records to the UK, and plans to have 15 locations by 2022.
The franchise company Franjam – in which Bolt is a partner – announced that it signed a contract to set up the locations in partnership with the Casual Dining Restaurant Group (CDRG), part of the business group that runs KFC and Pizza Hut in the UK.
The restaurant opened its first location in Kingston, Jamaica, in April 2011. It has a second in Ocho Rios, on Jamaica’s northern coast.
The brand plays heavily on Bolt personally. It includes his name in its full title, its logo is his famous “lightning” pose, and “tracks” is a further reference to his athletic prowess.
The menu has a section devoted to "Burgers a la Usain," as well as traditional Jamaican food like rice and peas, plantain, jerk chicken and saltfish.
The Tracks & Records Instagram account shows some of what's on offer at its existing restaurants, giving an idea of what may be served up in the UK.
"Burgers a la Usain" look pretty good...
As does the traditional Jamaican pork stew with rice and peas, served with a Red Stripe Jamaican beer
The portions look healthy. Here's the BBQ ribs with parmesan steak fries...
...As well as the "wickedest" jerk grilled shrimp.
Bolt said: "I'm happy to be able to share a taste of the Jamaica that I know and love with the rest of the world through the opening of these restaurants across the UK.
"London has always been a special place for me, and I thank Aly and CDRG for giving us the opportunity to share our vision and our culture with you all."
