BASIC-FIT acquired by 3I
Context
The investment by 3i Group plc in Basic-Fit marks a significant milestone in the company's growth journey. The strategic rationale behind the deal is to support Basic-Fit's further domestic and international expansion, leveraging 3i's extensive experience in the retail discount market and its network of professionals. The partnership aims to accelerate Basic-Fit's growth, capitalizing on the increasing demand for affordable fitness options in Europe. With 3i's investment, Basic-Fit will be able to enhance its operations, expand its reach, and solidify its position as a leading discount fitness operator in Europe. The deal also marks the introduction of Ronald van der Vis as chairman of the Board, bringing extensive retail and international experience to the company. The future objectives of the partnership include driving growth, improving operational efficiency, and increasing value creation for all stakeholders involved.
BASIC-FIT, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2013, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, a level to compare with the average currently observed in the Retail & Consumer sector (11.0x).
Note that this data is based on contribution from our growing community, composed of M&A and Private Equity professionals, and has been verified by our team to ensure its accuracy.
-> Deep-dive in Retail & Consumer market trends
Target
Basic-Fit is a leading discount fitness operator in Europe, founded in 2003 and headquartered in Hoofddorp, The Netherlands. The company operates over 200 discount gyms across The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and France, catering to approximately half a million members. Basic-Fit offers high-quality fitness memberships at an affordable price point, starting from €15.95 per month, which includes access to state-of-the-art equipment, virtual group classes, and 24-hour opening at select locations. With a strong presence in The Netherlands and Belgium, where it is the market leader, Basic-Fit has demonstrated solid growth driven by consumer trends focusing on health and wellness. The company's business model is centered around providing affordable, convenient, and high-quality fitness services to its members, allowing it to capitalize on the growing demand for discount fitness options in Europe.
Ent. Value
LOGIN
Equity Value
LOGIN
Multiples
EV / Revenue
LOGIN
EV / EBITDA
LOGIN
EV / EBIT
LOGIN
Historical Financials (EUR)
Similar deals in Retail & Consumer
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector | Deal Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/2014 | BAIN CAPITAL | RETAIL ZOO | AUSTRALIA | Hospitality & Leisure | Bain Capital Private Equity, through funds advised by an affiliate, partnered with Retail Zoo’s founders Jeff and Janine Allis to complete the acquisition of Retail Zoo from The Riverside Company and the founders |
| 01/2014 | CARAVELLE | BELAMBRA CLUBS | FRANCE | Hospitality & Leisure | Caravelle acquired a 61% majority stake in Belambra from ACG Capital (formerly Acto/Ekkio). The transaction concluded a laborious two-year sale process during which several auctions failed to attract satisfactory bids from industrial players (Pierre & Vacances) or funds (Sagard, LBO France) |
| 11/2013 | CALEDONIA INVESTMENTS | PARK HOLIDAYS | UNITED KINGDOM | Hospitality & Leisure | Caledonia Investments has successfully completed a capital restructuring of Park Holidays, acquiring a majority stake in the holiday park operator. This transaction is part of a strategic plan to support the company's growth, which generated an EBITDA of over £20 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
| 10/2013 | VALEDO PARTNERS | JOE & THE JUICE | DENMARK | Hospitality & Leisure | Valedo Partners acquired a majority stake in Joe & the Juice in 2013, with founder and CEO Kaspar Basse retaining a minority equity position and remaining in the management role. The deal is structured as a classic small‑LBO, with Valedo partnering alongside Basse and a group of key employees who also take equity stakes, thereby aligning incentives for a value‑creation phase focused on geographic expansion and brand‑building |
| 09/2013 | CBPE CAPITAL | CÔTE RESTAURANTS | UNITED KINGDOM | Hospitality & Leisure | The acquisition of Côte Restaurants by CBPE Capital in September 2013 stands as a landmark transaction in the UK casual dining sector, representing the transition of a founder-led "boutique" brand into a professionalized, scalable national platform |
| 06/2013 | CREDIT MUTUEL EQUITY | COURTEPAILLE | France | Hospitality & Leisure | CM-CIC Capital Finance acquired a minority stake in the restaurant chain Courtepaille from Salvepar, an investment holding company. This transaction represents a complete exit for Salvepar, which had been part of the shareholder structure since a leveraged buyout approximately two years prior |
| 04/2013 | ALSEA | BURGER KING IN MEXICO | MEXICO | Hospitality & Leisure | Alsea completed the acquisition of the Burger King master franchise in Mexico on 1 April 2013, concluding the process in accordance with the antitrust‑approval and the joint‑venture agreement with Burger King Worldwide (BKW) |
| 03/2012 | OAKTREE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT | FITNESS FIRST | UNITED KINGDOM | Hospitality & Leisure | The deal involves Oaktree Capital acquiring a majority stake in Fitness First through a debt-for-equity swap. The transaction is expected to provide a rescue package for the debt-laden gym chain, which has been struggling to meet its interest payments |
| 09/2011 | NAXICAP PARTNERS | SUSHI SHOP GROUP | FRANCE | Hospitality & Leisure | Sushi Shop, a French restaurant chain specializing in Japanese takeaway and delivery cuisine, has completed a €25 million growth capital transaction with Naxicap Partners joining as a minority investor |
| 01/2011 | HIG CAPITAL | LOOPING GROUP | FRANCE | Hospitality & Leisure | H.I.G. Capital has completed the acquisition of a portfolio of seven regional leisure parks from Compagnie des Alpes to form the newly established Looping Group. This transaction represents a classic corporate carve-out, as the seller sought to refocus its strategy on major international destination resorts and ski areas |
REFERENCES
Valuation range: EV 300M - 700M EUR
Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of BASIC-FIT by 3I are reserved for mynth community members. Register for free to unlock full data.
Authors: verified mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).
Press release: view release
Target: basic-fit
Acquirer: 3i