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← DATABASE
10/2019

LOOPING GROUP acquired by MUBADALA

FRANCE Hospitality & Leisure / Leisure Facilities EV 300M - 700M EUR

Context

Looping Group has undergone a major capital reorganization as the founding management team, led by the President and Managing Director, assumed majority control of the company. Mubadala Capital entered the capital as a significant minority investor to support this management-led buyout, while the previous majority shareholder, Ergon Capital, fully exited its position. Bpifrance, a long-standing partner, also participated in the transaction to maintain its support for the group’s development. The deal was conducted primarily as a private, bilateral agreement and involved a complete restructuring of the group’s existing debt facilities. The previous "first out-second out" financing was replaced by a substantial unitranche facility provided by Hayfin, which also included a dedicated line for capital expenditures. This new financial structure is designed to provide the group with the stability and liquidity required to pursue further international acquisitions and enhance the profitability of its existing leisure assets.

In the past, the company had already been the subject of several LBOs, notably led by Hig Capital in 2011 and Ergon Capital Partners / Bpifrance in 2016. This succession of buyouts highlights the strong attractiveness of the company's business model.

LOOPING GROUP, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2019, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, representing a level LOGIN 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.

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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

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Multiples

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EV / EBITDA

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Historical Financials (EUR)

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Other operations with LOOPING GROUP

List of similar M&A transactions (Date, Acquirer, Target, Country, Sector, Deal Context)
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySectorDeal Context
05/2023PAI PARTNERSLOOPING GROUPFRANCEHospitality & Leisure

PAI Partners has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a 75% majority stake in Looping Group from Mubadala Capital and Bpifrance. This transaction marks the fourth leveraged buyout for the group. The founding management team will retain a 25% minority interest and continue to lead the group’s ambitious growth strategy

04/2016ERGON CAPITAL PARTNERS / BPIFRANCELOOPING GROUPFRANCEHospitality & Leisure

Ergon Capital, in partnership with Bpifrance, has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Looping Group from H.I.G. Capital. The transaction marks the second leveraged buyout for the group since its inception and is designed to support the next phase of its European expansion

01/2011HIG CAPITALLOOPING GROUPFRANCEHospitality & 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

Revenue range: 100M - 200M EUR

EBITDA range: 25M - 50M EUR

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 MUBADALA 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: looping group

Acquirer: mubadala