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05/2023MajorityLBO

PAI Partners takes majority stake in Looping Group

FRANCE Hospitality & Leisure / Leisure Facilities EV €500M–1.5bn

Context

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. The deal was supported by a 250 million euro unitranche financing package provided by Hayfin, representing a leverage multiple of approximately 4.5x EBITDA. The strategic rationale for the new partnership is to double the company’s size over the next five years through a combination of organic development and continued cross-border acquisitions, with a particular focus on strengthening the group’s footprint in Southern Europe.

The acquisition of Looping Group is part of the growth strategy of PAI Partners, which already has several external growth operations under its belt, notably European Pizza Group in 2023.

Looping Group, which reported an EBITDA margin of [members only] in 2022, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 10x–18x.

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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

€500M–1.5bn

Equity Value

[members only]

Multiples

EV / Revenue

2x–6x

EV / EBITDA

10x–18x

EV / EBIT

[members only]

Historical Financials (EUR)

Year
Rev
EBITDA
EBIT
2022
€150–250M
€50–100M
[members only]
2021
€150–250M
€50–100M
[members only]

Other operations with Looping Group

Other operations with Looping Group
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySector
10/2019MUBADALALOOPING GROUPFRANCELeisure Facilities
04/2016APHEON / BPIFRANCELOOPING GROUPFRANCELeisure Facilities
01/2011HIG CAPITALLOOPING GROUPFRANCELeisure Facilities

Other operations with PAI Partners

Other operations with PAI Partners
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySector
07/2023PAI PARTNERSINFRA GROUPBELGIUMUtilities Networks (Water/Fiber)
06/2023PAI PARTNERSECF GROUPFRANCEHospitality Supplies
04/2023PAI PARTNERSEUROPEAN PIZZA GROUP (EPG)GERMANYFood Products
02/2023PAI PARTNERSLA COMPAGNIE DES DESSERTSFRANCEBakery / Pastry
12/2021PAI PARTNERSUVESCOSPAINGeneral Grocery
10/2021PAI PARTNERSEUROPEAN CAMPING GROUP (ECG)FRANCEHotels & Accommodation
07/2021PAI PARTNERSAPAVE GROUPEFRANCETIC (Testing, Inspection, Certification)
12/2020PAI PARTNERSAPLEONAGERMANYHVAC
04/2019PAI PARTNERSECOTONENETHERLANDSFood Processing
11/2018PAI PARTNERSSTELLAFRANCEExternal Joinery

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REFERENCES

Valuation range: EV €500M–1.5bn

Revenue range: €150–250M

EBITDA range: €50–100M

EV/Revenue range: 2x - 6x

EV/EBITDA range: 10x - 18x

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 PAI Partners 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?

This page covers the acquisition of a majority stake in Looping Group, a French company specialised in Leisure Facilities, by PAI Partners in 2023, structured as a leveraged buyout (LBO). This followed an earlier holding cycle initiated in October 2019, when the company was acquired by Mubadala.

How was the acquisition of Looping Group by PAI Partners valued, and what multiples were paid?

mynth displays the transaction’s enterprise value within the €500M–1.5bn band, its EV/EBITDA multiple within the 10x - 18x range, and its EV/revenue multiple within the 2x - 6x range. Exact figures are available to members.

What were Looping Group’s revenue and EBITDA at the time of the deal?

At the time of the transaction, Looping Group generated annual revenue estimated in the €150–250M range and EBITDA in the €50–100M bracket (FY 2022). Detailed financial figures are available to members.

What sources support the information on this transaction?

Transaction data and operational intelligence were compiled from independent financial press reporting by specialized M&A publications.

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