HIG Capital takes majority stake in Looping Group
Context
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. The deal was structured to provide the target with full operational independence, led by an experienced management team drawn from the industry. The strategic rationale for the acquisition is to revitalize these regional assets through dedicated management focus and a significant multi-year investment plan aimed at enhancing the visitor experience and operational margins. This inaugural transaction serves as the foundation for a European "buy-and-build" platform, with the acquirer intending to use the group as a vehicle to consolidate the fragmented regional leisure park market through further acquisitions of similar high-potential assets.
Looping Group, which reported an EBITDA margin of [members only] in 2010, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 5x–12x.
-> Deep-dive in Retail & Consumer market trends
Target
Looping Group is a leading European operator of regional leisure parks, managing a diverse portfolio of eighteen sites including theme parks, aquariums, animal parks, and water parks across eight countries. The company’s business model centers on a "proximity and authenticity" strategy, targeting local families and tourists with accessible, high-quality entertainment. Key assets include the Zoo de la Flèche and Bagatelle in France, as well as Drayton Manor in the UK. The group’s value proposition is built on an active buy-and-build platform, acquiring well-established local brands and enhancing their performance through targeted investments in new attractions, high-end accommodation (lodges), and improved digital ticketing and catering services. By focusing on essential leisure activities near urban centers, Looping maintains high customer loyalty and a resilient revenue stream across diverse European geographies.
Ent. Value
€10–30M
Equity Value
[members only]
Multiples
EV / Revenue
1x–3x
EV / EBITDA
5x–12x
EV / EBIT
[members only]
Historical Financials (EUR)
Other operations with Looping Group
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/2023 | PAI PARTNERS | LOOPING GROUP | FRANCE | Leisure Facilities |
| 10/2019 | MUBADALA | LOOPING GROUP | FRANCE | Leisure Facilities |
| 04/2016 | APHEON / BPIFRANCE | LOOPING GROUP | FRANCE | Leisure Facilities |
Other operations with HIG Capital
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/2025 | HIG CAPITAL | ADVANCED LOGISTICS FOR AEROSPACE (ALA) | ITALY | Industrial & Technical Distribution |
| 09/2025 | HIG CAPITAL | RENTOKIL INITIAL WORKWEAR FRANCE | FRANCE | Industrial Cleaning |
| 03/2025 | HIG CAPITAL | TIMETOACT GROUP | GERMANY | Consulting & Integration |
| 02/2025 | HIG CAPITAL | CONVERGE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | CANADA | Consulting & Integration |
| 03/2024 | HIG CAPITAL | STRADA | UNITED STATES | HR & Capital |
| 01/2024 | HIG CAPITAL | DX GROUP | UNITED KINGDOM | Road Freight |
| 03/2023 | HIG CAPITAL | ANDWIS GROUP | UNITED KINGDOM | Maintenance |
| 02/2022 | HIG CAPITAL | BERARDI BULLONERIE | ITALY | Industrial & Technical Distribution |
| 04/2021 | HIG CAPITAL | INTERPATH | UNITED KINGDOM | Accounting & Audit |
| 07/2020 | HIG CAPITAL | PROJECT INFORMATICA | ITALY | Consulting & Integration |
Similar deals in Hospitality & Leisure
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/2012 | OAKTREE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT | FITNESS FIRST | UNITED KINGDOM | Hospitality |
| 09/2011 | NAXICAP PARTNERS | SUSHI SHOP GROUP | FRANCE | Restaurants / Chains |
| 01/2011 | CHANGE CAPITAL PARTNERS | ROSSOPOMODORO | ITALY | Restaurants / Chains |
| 12/2010 | FONDATIONS CAPITAL | COURTEPAILLE | FRANCE | Restaurants / Chains |
| 06/2007 | LIGHTSTONE GROUP | EXTENDED STAY AMERICA | UNITED STATES | Hotels & Accommodation |
| 03/2007 | MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS | THE TUSSAUDS GROUP | UNITED KINGDOM | Leisure Facilities |
| 02/2006 | MONTEFIORE INVESTMENT | HOMAIR VACANCES | FRANCE | Hotels & Accommodation |
| 09/2005 | BC PARTNERS | FITNESS FIRST | UNITED KINGDOM | Hospitality |
| 07/2005 | COLONY CAPITAL | BUFFALO GRILL | FRANCE | Restaurants / Chains |
| 05/2005 | BLACKSTONE | MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS | UNITED KINGDOM | Parks & Ski Resorts |
REFERENCES
Valuation range: EV €10–30M
Revenue range: €10–30M
EBITDA range: €0–5M
EV/Revenue range: 1x - 3x
EV/EBITDA range: 5x - 12x
Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of Looping Group by HIG Capital are reserved for mynth community members. Register for free to unlock full data.
Authors: This transaction was contributed by a verified mynth contributor and cross-checked against available transaction documents and official company communications.
Target: looping group
FAQ
What transaction does this page cover?
How was the acquisition of Looping Group by HIG Capital valued, and what multiples were paid?
What were Looping Group’s revenue and EBITDA at the time of the deal?
What sources support the information on this transaction?
What is mynth?