The Asian-inspired brand will increase pay by up to 13% across all of its approximately 1,200 staff at its equity-owned restaurants in a move that its says reinforces its commitment to its people being at the heart of everything it does.
The pay increase builds on an earlier pay rise from the company this time last year, amounting to a combined increase of 22.3%.
Entry-level pay will increase to a minimum of £11.50 per hour, compared to the industry average of £9.80.
Itsu increased its staff pay on 17 September 2021 with the hourly wage for entry level team members increasing by 11% to £10.40 per hour.
“Our team members are the heart of our business. We are committed to looking after our people, in what are going to be difficult times for many of them," says Itsu chief executive Ganan Kanagathurai.
“We’ll always pay our teams as much as we can afford rather than what we can get away with.”
Harry Housen, Itsu’s people director, adds: ““We’re confident that our commitment to training our people, focus on internal promotions, and market leading pay will position us as the employer of choice for those within the hospitality sector.”
Itsu is on track to open 15 new restaurants in 2022.
Itsu chief executive Ganan Kanagathurai will be speaking at The Omnichannel Foodservice Conference, taking place at the Pullman London St Pancras on 9 November. Click here for more details and to attend.