Côte appoints advisers to consider restaurant chain’s future

The private equity owner of casual dining chain Côte has appointed advisers to consider options for the future of the business.

Partners Group is understood to be working with Interpath Advisory on investment opportunities to fund growth.

However, Sky News has reported that this could include a possible auction of the business and restaurant closures.

Partners Group acquired Côte out of administration for £55m at the height of the pandemic in 2020 when it had nearly 100 sites. The chain now trades from around 70 UK restaurants.

The appointment of advisers comes after Côte hired former Sofology managing director Emma Dinnis as its new chief executive officer in March to lead its next phase of growth.

At the time, the French restaurant group said Dinnis would be tasked with building on its “strong momentum” as it looked to expand with larger sites.

It comes amid a difficult time for restaurant businesses as sites face higher costs and the fallout of increases to minimum wage and employers’ National Insurance Contributions in April.

Dim sum chain Ping Pong closed its four remaining London restaurants and entered administration earlier this month, while independent restaurants Soif in London’s Battersea, Thali East in Bristol, Yiamas in Glasgow and Gary Usher’s Kala in Manchester have all closed in recent weeks.

Côte was founded in 2007, with its first site opening in London’s Wimbledon.

Côte declined to comment, while Interpath could not be reached for comment.

Photo: ChrisGhinda/Shutterstock