As the fifth acquisition of the WCP#3 LBO fund, Weinberg Capital has acquired a stake in the Bourdoncle group, an iconic player in the French bistronomic restaurant industry.
Headed by restaurant specialist Thierry Bourdoncle, the group currently owns a portfolio of 16 iconic establishments (Durand Dupont in Neuilly, Le Dôme de Villiers in the 17th arrondissement, Le Hibou, Le Mabillon in the 6th arrondissement, and the hotel restaurant Le Central in Trouville sur Mer) and is in the process of acquiring five other restaurants.
Thierry Bourdoncle is a passionate entrepreneur from a family from Aveyron. For nearly 25 years, he has developed a portfolio of establishments thanks to a clear strategic line: exceptional locations and places with strong identities, a quality culinary proposal and a particularly attentive service.
In 2000, Chef Maurice Guillouet (ex-Tour d’argent and Ritz) joined Thierry Bourdoncle. Together, they created seasonal menus, privileging local products from the best suppliers in France, in order to offer a gourmet and high quality cuisine.
The transaction is in line with WCP’s investment criteria and know-how, a buy and build strategy (5 restaurant acquisitions in progress), in a restaurant sector that is well known to the LBO team, which has been supporting Ecotel Chomette Favor (leader in the distribution of small equipment for cafés, hotels and restaurants) since 2011.
By 2022, the group is aiming for sales of nearly €75 million and employs around 500 people.
Weinberg Capital Partners’ proposal
Founded in 2005, WCP is an independent investment company historically active in buyout capital. In 2008, it broadened its scope to include real estate assets, and since 2015 has been investing in the capital of French listed SMEs/SMIs as a minority shareholder with an active, friendly and long-term approach. In 2020, WCP added to its capacity to invest in SMEs with a minority strategy focused on sustainable development issues, which offers extra-financial support to better prepare companies for environmental and societal challenges.
With €1.3 billion in assets under management, WCP is a significant player in the mid-market equity segment in France.
WCP is a signatory of the PRI, a member of the International Climate Initiative and an active responsible investor.
Weinberg Capital Partner
laurence.royrojo@weinbergcapital.com +33 1 53 53 55 16 www.weinbergcapital.com
