Cbpe Capital takes majority stake in Côte Restaurants

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. The deal was primarily driven by the exit of high-profile restaurant entrepreneur Richard Caring, who had provided the initial financial backing and strategic clout to launch the brand in 2007. By 2013, Côte had successfully navigated the post-recession landscape, proving that its "modern French bistro" model was not only resilient but highly profitable across diverse demographics. CBPE Capital’s primary strategic objective was to capitalize on a proven, high-performing restaurant format that displayed exceptional unit economics and a disciplined operational DNA. Unlike many of its competitors at the time, Côte had avoided brand overextension, maintaining a tight focus on quality, consistency, and a value-driven price point that appealed to both "special occasion" diners and regular mid-week customers. For CBPE, the investment offered a rare opportunity to acquire a business that had already reached critical mass with its existing footprint but still possessed significant white space for geographical expansion across the UK’s primary and secondary cities.