The group’s portfolio comprises four sites in Folkestone including Sargeant’s former flagship Rocksalt and four countryside pubs.
“I would like to let you all know and with a heavy heart, that due to unresolvable differences of opinion between my business partner and I we both feel that it’s time to go our separate ways,” Sargeant wrote on Instagram.
“I shall be moving on to pastures new but the businesses will all continue as normal. It’s been the most incredible 12 years building this mini empire and I am very sad to move on but the time has come for me to find a new challenge.”
A former Gordon Ramsay Group chef, Sargeant struck out on his own to launch Rocksalt and adjoining fish and chip restaurant The Smokehouse in 2011.
Following Rocksalt's success, Sargeant launched a string of pubs in Kent including including The Duke William in Ickham, The Radnor Arms in Folkestone, The Woolpack at Warehorne, The Five Bells in East Brabourne and The Wife of Bath in Wye.