Jari Litmanen left Lahti to become a co-owner of Hook restaurant.
Jari Litmanen owns 10 percent of Lahti Koukkuravintolat oy. Andres Theiss
Ex-soccer star Jari Litmanen has started a completely new business for himself. Litmanen, 51, became a co-owner of the new Hook wing restaurant in his old hometown of Lahti.
The Hook wing restaurant chain has a background in bringing Finnish sports legends and stars into the background. Raimo Helminen is the owner of the Tampere restaurant, Jere Lehtinen in Espoo’s Tapiola and Lauri Markkanen in Jyväskylä.
– I have not been involved in restaurant operations before. Now I was asked, and this seemed like a funny idea, Litmanen told Iltalehte.
“Litti” just spent a vacation with her family in the Maldives and returned to her home in Estonia at the weekend.
Litmanen does not admit that going into a completely new field was scary.
– The concept is clear and has worked for a long time. A good and experienced group from the restaurant world is behind this, so this is easy for me. I have had time to think because Korona postponed the project by at least a year.
What role do you take on in the restaurant?
– I am one partner in Lahti, and we will see together what my role will be, Litmanen answered.
According to the founding agreement submitted to the Trade Register, Litmanen owns 10 percent of Lahti Koukkuravintolat oy through a company established in Estonia. Nothing has been paid to the company for the shares.
The opening of the restaurant will be celebrated on Monday.
Founder and main owner of the Hook chain, ex-basketball player Juha Vuorio is proud to have Litmanen on board.
Vuorio trusts in the sales value and reputation of Litmanen, who played in Europe’s top clubs.
– He is definitely one of the greatest Finnish athletes of all time. Maybe with Jari’s help we can get Hook to Amsterdam, for example, Vuorio said.