Hawksmoor

Under Graphite’s ownership, Hawksmoor has grown from a London-based operator with four restaurants, into the world’s number one steak restaurant company, with sites across the UK, Ireland, and United States.

Hawksmoor was started in 2006 by two entrepreneurs, with the aim of creating a distinctly British steakhouse, providing consistently high-quality steak and outstanding customer service. Prior to Graphite’s investment in 2013, the company had launched four restaurants in Central London, all of which had been extremely successful.

The company now operates fourteen restaurants, eight of which are in London, and one in each of Manchester, Edinburgh, New York, Liverpool, Dublin and most recently Chicago. Hawksmoor opened its first international restaurant, in New York City, in 2021. The restaurant received critical acclaim, with the New York Times asking, “Does New York need a British steakhouse?” and the answer being “Yes, if it’s Hawksmoor”. It is now Hawksmoor’s highest revenue generating restaurant. In July 2024, Hawksmoor opened its second US site in Chicago, and in 2026 will open its third US venue.

Hawksmoor marked Graphite’s fourth investment in the broader restaurant sector. Together with the management team, we have developed a further expansion plan for the business in the UK and internationally. The company has consistently been listed in the top 100 ‘Best Companies to Work for’, highlighting the emphasis placed on work environment, staff welfare, service delivery and the quality of its food and drink offering. In 2022, it became the first UK restaurant to achieve ‘B-Corp’ status and was recently ranked as the world’s best steak restaurant.