Patisserie Holdings, the AIM-list parent company of Patisserie Valerie, is in advanced talks to acquire Maison Blanc, the patisserie chain founded by Raymond Blanc, MCA understands.
MCA revealed in September that Maison Blanc’s owners the Kout Food Group had appointed advisors as part of a strategic review of the brand’s 13 sites and production facility.
The business, which was acquired by the Kout in 2007, appointed Davis Coffer Lyons to handle the review, which covers its entire estate, including its Park Royal Production Facility in London.
MCA understands that the Paul May-led Patisserie Holdings would, if successful in completing a deal, use the 13 sites to boost the openings pipeline for its existing brands. It is not in talks to acquire the production facility.
Earlier this week, Luke Johnson, the chairman of Patisserie Holdings, stressed that the company was “well placed to make acquisitions” should any suitable opportunities arise.
He was speaking as the company saw revenue rise 13.3% to £104.1m in the year to 30 September, with EBITDA up 18.1% to £22.2m and pre-tax profits growing 18.2% to £17.2m.
Maison Blanc currently operates sites in Chiswick; Fulham; Hampstead; Muswell Hill; Holland Park; St John’s Wood; Oxford; Henley; Farnham; Burford; Winchester; Guildford and Chichester.
Following its acquisition of the group, Kout is believed to have drawn up plans to grow to 30 to 40 sites.
In its most recent financial results – for 2014 – the group recorded a £2.9m operating loss – but stabilised falling turnover to £10.4m.
Earlier this year, the Kuwait-based Kout also revealed it had placed the only site under its Cha Cha Moon brand on the market.
