Johnson also joins the board of directors at the Hertfordshire-based company, which is set to open its fourth site in Hitchin in June, and its fifth restaurant in an as-yet unspecified location later this year.
Chairman of Risk Capital Partners, Johnson has other existing investments across a wide hospitality portfolio, including Gaucho, Patisserie Holdings, Bread Ltd (Gail’s Artisan Bakery), Feng Sushi, 3Sixty Restaurants, Genuine Dining, Draft House, Grand Union and Small Batch Coffee.
He was also previously chairman at PizzaExpress, at which Lussmanns founder Andrei Lussmann gained much of his early hospitality experience. He also started Signature Restaurants, which previously owned the Ivy, J.Sheekey and Le Caprice, as well as the Belgo chain, and the Strada group.
Lussmann, founder and managing director of Lussmanns, said: “Luke Johnson is well known in the restaurant world and his involvement signals a more ambitious approach to making sustainable dining a commercial reality on today’s high street. His depth of insight, commercial nous and capital will support Lussmanns in its ever evolving journey.”
Johnson added: “I love Lussmanns and think it offers affordable neighbourhood dining at its best. I’m glad to be partnering with [Andrei Lussmann] in this venture.”
Lussmanns currently operates three sites, comprising St Albans, Hertford and Harpenden. It is a strong advocate for sustainability, with a maximum-possible three-star rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA), and rated as one of the UK’s top restaurants by sustainable fish campaigners Fish2Fork.