Courtepaille acquired by Buffalo Grill

In September 2020, Buffalo Grill acquired its competitor Courtepaille out of receivership, a legal process initiated in July 2020. Courtepaille's financial distress, which pre-dated the pandemic, was severely exacerbated by the COVID-19 lockdown and the preceding french social crisis, culminating in its inability to secure a state-guaranteed loan. The Commercial Court of Evry selected Buffalo Grill's bid over several competing offers, including a notable one from Groupe Bertrand. The court's decision was based on Buffalo Grill's superior proposal on both financial and social grounds. Financially, the offer amounted to €17 million for Courtepaille's assets, significantly higher than Groupe Bertrand's €10.5 million bid. Socially, the plan included the preservation of 2k jobs. The strategic rationale was also a key factor; the court was convinced by the credibility of Buffalo Grill's industrial project. This project aimed to replicate the successful transformation plan Buffalo Grill itself had undergone in 2018-2019 to modernize its brand and improve profitability. The acquisition, backed by Buffalo Grill's majority shareholder, TDR Capital, was an ambitious move to consolidate leadership in the French themed-dining market by integrating a historic brand.