Pret A Manger owner set to buy French brasserie chain Côte

The owner of sandwich chain Pret A Manger is set to buy Côte, the brasserie chain backed by Richard Caring, for around £100m, it has emerged.

Private equity firm Bridgepoint is in talks with Caring about an acquisition of the 40-strong business, according to the http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Sunday Times.

Last month it was reported that TA Associates and Investcorp were among the four bidders vying for the restaurant group, which came on to the market last year.

Corporate finance firm Hawkpoint was appointed to review the company's options following several unsolicited approaches.

Côte was founded by Andy Bassadone and Chris Benians, the former management team of Strada, in 2007. Its most recent opening was in Barbican last month.