Bidders vie for stake in Gordon Ramsay Group
Several private equity firms are understood to be in competition to secure a stake in Gordon Ramsay's restaurant empire.
Searchlight Capital, Primary Capital (which previously backed YO! Sushi), Equistone, and at least two other bidders are all thought to be in the running, according to the Sunday Times.
The news comes after it emerged earlier this month that Ramsay has appointed BDO to find an investor to help fund the expansion of his business.
The chef and TV star is expected to sell up to 50% of his company, which is expanding in America and Asia, in a deal that is expected to value it at up to £80m.
Ramsay's restaurants include venues such as Bread Street Kitchen and Petrus in London, and he has sites in the US, Italy, France, Hong Kong and Qatar.
The paper also reported that Bridgepoint, owner of Pret A Manger sandwich bars, is closing in on the acquisition of the Ask and Zizzi Italian dining chains for about £225m.