Vapiano’s UK restaurants have been acquired by a group of investors led by Mario C. Bauer, in partnership with the Cairn Group and the Dominvs Group.
Shortly after former Vapiano director, Mario C. Bauer, acquired the global Vapiano brand and franchising rights along with a number of restaurants in Germany, France, Luxembourg and Australia the group’s bid for the UK Vapiano business was successful. The Italian fast-casual chain went into receivership in April.
The Vapiano investors have set up a partnership with the Savour Group, a company founded by two family offices, the Handa family who own and run Cairn Group hotels and the Ahluwalia family who run the Dominvs Group.
Together, the joint venture will run Vapiano within the M25 and has acquired the Vapiano restaurants on Great Portland Street, Bankside and Tower Bridge. The Savour Group will also enter a franchise agreement with Vapiano to operate the restaurants in Manchester and Edinburgh and is committed to opening more Vapiano restaurants across the UK.
“This is an exciting investment in the hospitality industry’s future,” said Husnell Ahluwalia, Director of Dominvs Group. “As a company, we are always on the lookout for great opportunities led by quality teams. This is a huge opportunity to look ahead at rebuilding an industry which has faced very challenging times recently.”
The transaction secures the future of 209 people who worked for Vapiano before the challenges brought by COVID-19, a welcome result during a time of economic uncertainty.
“We are delighted we have been able to help safeguard the future of Vapiano UK and many of its workers. Vapiano is a strong brand and the new owners intend to continue to invest in this brand and are committed to its growth here in the UK”, commented Naveen Handa of the Cairn Group.
Mario C. Bauer, co-founder and CEO of the new Vapiano holding company, Love and Food Restaurant Holding, commented, “It was of utmost importance to us to preserve a strong presence in London, a city that is a global showroom for brands such as Vapiano.
'We were thrilled to be able to forge a strong long-term partnership with the Handa family, an established third-generation family business that shares our philosophy and values. Together with the Ahluwalia family we look forward to growing and sustainably expanding our restaurants in the United Kingdom.”
The Love & Food Restaurant Holding was set up by a group of successful European restaurateurs and hoteliers: Mario C. Bauer names Henry McGovern, co-founder and former long-time CEO of the AmRest group of restaurants, Sinclair Beecham, co-founder of Pret a Manger, Vincent van der Valk, leading Dutch hotelier and exclusive Vapiano area developer for the Netherlands and Belgium, and Gregor Gerlach, Vapiano co-founder and owner of the Seaside hotel group, as co-investors.
They all have unique track records and have made it their mission to lead Vapiano back to its rightful place among the top European fast-casual dining concepts.