Capdesia invests in GAIL’s Bakery
15 October, 2021
Capdesia invested alongside Bain Capital Credit as well as entrepreneurs Henry McGovern (founder of AmRest) and Steven Winegar in September 2021 to acquire a controlling stake in GAIL’s parent company. The investment brings continuity to the business, with key management remaining in place and committed to the long-term success of the business.
About GAIL’s
Founded in the 1990’s as a baker of premium bread products for London’s top chefs and restaurants, GAIL’s is a leading UK artisan bakery chain and vertically integrated manufacturer of premium craft baked goods. At present, the company operates 74 neighbourhood bakeries in and around London, Oxford, Brighton and beyond, serving handmade, freshly baked bread, pastries and cakes every day, as well as carefully sourced house blend specialty coffee.
About Bain Capital Credit
Bain Capital Credit is a leading global credit specialist with approximately $48 billion in assets under management. Bain Capital Credit invests across the full spectrum of strategies, including leveraged loans, high-yield bonds, distressed debt and special situations, private lending, structured products, non-performing loans, and majority and minority equity stakes. Founded in 1998 as a private, employee-owned firm, Bain Capital Credit’s experienced team of over 150 investment professionals seeks to identify attractive equity and credit investment opportunities across North America, Europe, and Asia–Pacific. In addition to credit, Bain Capital invests across asset classes including private equity, public equity, real estate and venture capital, and leverages the firm’s shared platform to capture opportunities in strategic areas of focus.
About Henry McGovern, Steven K. Winegar and EBITDA Investments
Henry McGovern is the founder of AmRest Holdings SE, one of Europe’s leading foodservice companies, which under Henry’s leadership, grew to more than 2,300 restaurants, in 25 countries, with 55,000+ employees. Steven K. Winegar is the co-founder of Grupo Zena and the founder of Restauravia Grupo Empresarial (the latter was an owner of La Tagliatella – the most successful Italian dine-in concept in Spain). Steven and Henry have completed dozens of acquisitions in the foodservice sector. Partnering with founders and CEOs to scale their businesses. They are currently investors in Vapiano, Cook Unity and dean&david as well as alternative protein focused companies including BlueNalu, Eat Just, Impossible Foods and Memphis Meats. EBITDA Investments, the food ecosystem fund backed by Steven and Henry, is investing exclusively in foodservice and foodtech sector category leaders.
About Capdesia Group Limited
Capdesia Group Limited is a London-and-Brussels-based private equity firm that focuses exclusively on the restaurant space by investing in emerging and scalable brands in the UK and Europe. Aside from providing creative capital solutions, what makes Capdesia unique is the depth of operational expertise of their Operating Partners and how they leverage that experience to the benefit of their portfolio companies in support of expansion, including franchising and international. Over the past decade, Capdesia’s founders invested in over 70 US and European restaurant businesses across 43 brands. Besides GAIL’s, Capdesia are currently investors in Wasabi and Marugame Udon.