BC Partners takes majority stake in Cigierre

BC Partners agreed to acquire a majority stake in Cigierre from founder and CEO Marco Di Giusto, L Capital, and Paladin Capital Partners in a secondary‑type buy‑out transaction, with the deal expected to close in early 2016 subject to regulatory approvals. The transaction is structured as a classic European private equity‑backed LBO, with BC Partners‑advised funds providing the controlling equity investment while the founder retains a minority stake and continues as CEO, preserving management continuity and entrepreneurial alignment. At the time of the deal, Cigierre operated over 180 casual‑dining restaurants across Italy, combining company‑owned and franchised sites under brands such as Old Wild West, Wiener Haus, Arabian Kebab, Kukkuma, and Shi’S, and had grown revenue and EBITDA by about 40% per year over the prior four‑year horizon, reflecting best‑in‑class unit economics and a strong development pipeline targeting 25 new openings annually. The Italian platform is positioned as a leading reference point for casual dining and restaurant franchising, with a clear roadmap to expand both existing formats and new concepts in Italy and, potentially, internationally.

The acquisition of Cigierre is part of the growth strategy of BC Partners, which already has several external growth operations under its belt, notably Côte Restaurants in 2015.