McWin acquires majority stake in L'Osteria restaurant chain

The private equity backer of bakery chain Gail's has acquired a majority stake in German pizza and pasta chain L'Osteria with plans to further expand the brand across Europe.

McWin, which has also invested in White Rabbit Projects in the UK, said the deal valued L'Osteria at around £352m (€400m).

L'Osteria was founded in Nuremberg, Germany in 1999 and has since expanded to 157 restaurants in eight countries and employs over 6,000 people.

It has opened two UK restaurants, in Bristol and Southampton, since 2016.

The group opened its own £1.06m (€1.2m) pasta factory in Nuremberg in 2013, which supplies its sites across Europe.

McWin said the deal would allow it to accelerate the chain's expansion in Germany and "multiple new and existing markets" across Europe.

L'Osteria founders Klaus Rader and Friedemann Findeis will remain significant minority shareholders of the company.

Henry McGovern, found partner at McWin, said: "In 30 years of following the European foodservice market I have rarely come across a proprietary brand with this level of quality and opportunity.

"We are big believers that excellent businesses like this one outperform in turbulent times. Italian cuisine is universally popular, and L'Osteria is the clear market leader in the largest economy in Europe, with a strong track record across a wide range of operating environments.

"We fundamentally believe that L'Osteria has the potential to become the market-leading casual dining group in Europe and look forward to working with the team to deliver on that opportunity."

McWin's other investments include Burger King Germany, Popeyes in central and eastern Europe, and meat substitute brand Impossible Foods.

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