Upmarket caterer Rhubarb close to £100 million sale; Bregal Freshstream and Graphite Capital said to be some of the buy-out firms participating in second round
I realise Trump is the only major news story in town at the moment but here's a little tale for the mid-market dealmaking village back in Blighty.
Word is private equity firm ECI is closing in on a £100 million sale of upmarket caterer Rhubarb, which has contracts with the Royal Albert Hall and Goodwood Estate.
Top sources said those private equity firms participating in the Rhubarb auction include Bregal Freshstream (which bought handbag maker Radley last year), and Graphite Capital.
Buy-out house Livingbridge, a trade buyer and another financial firm have also been involved in the sale process, said sources familiar with the matter.
Industry publication MCA and Dom Walsh over at The Times broke the original stories about Rhubard hiring advisors to carry out a strategic review earlier this year but I have picked up that second round bids are due in and a deal could be announced over the next few weeks.
So, keep an eye out for a deal announcement...
ECI declined to comment.
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