NEXTALIA takes majority stake in COSTA EDUTAINMENT

Funds advised by Ekkio Capital, together with co-investors including Bpifrance, Carvest, BNP Paribas Développement and CIC Private Debt, have completed a new €240 million financing and buy-out package for Calicéo, a French balneotherapy and wellness center operator. The transaction marks a new growth phase for the company and supports its accelerated expansion strategy in France and internationally. The financing package is structured through a combination of equity and debt. Approximately €65 million is provided in equity, largely reinvested by Ekkio Capital through its latest fund, a continuation vehicle backed by LGT Capital, and a co-investment vehicle alongside BNP Paribas Développement and a family office

Yum! Brands has announced the signing of definitive agreements to divest its entire Pizza Hut business, following a strategic review process initiated in November 2025 to assess the best value-creation options for the brand. After careful consideration, the company has decided to separate Pizza Hut from its portfolio to focus its resources on its other brands and strategic growth priorities. The transaction is structured into two separate deals. Pizza Hut's operations outside of mainland China will be sold to LongRange Capital, while Yum China Holdings will acquire the Pizza Hut business in mainland China

Aermont Capital has entered into an agreement to acquire Park Holidays, the UK-based holiday park and leisure home business of Sun Communities. The transaction encompasses all assets through which the US group operates in the UK, marking Sun Communities' exit from this market. This divestment is part of Sun Communities' strategy to refocus on its core manufactured housing and recreational vehicle businesses in North America. For the seller, the deal enables a simplification of its asset portfolio and concentration of resources on priority markets

Emirates International Investment Company (EIIC), a leading UAE‑based private investment firm and the strategic investment arm of National Holding Group, acquired a minority stake in Joe & the Juice. The transaction is structured as a mix of secondary share purchases from General Atlantic and the issuance of new equity, with General Atlantic remaining the majority shareholder and retaining control of the business. The move deepens an existing partnership between the two parties, as EIIC already operates as a franchise partner for Joe & the Juice in several markets, including Spain and Turkey, where it combines local market knowledge with capital to support store rollout and brand‑building

The executive management of La Tête dans les Nuages has finalized a minority "flex equity" transaction with a consortium led by Byway Capital and supported by Bpifrance. The strategic rationale for this operation centers on an "aggressive-scaling" play, merging the target's technical operational depth in the leisure sector with the sponsors' institutional capital and mezzanine expertise. This structural alignment allows the organization to remain under the controlling leadership of its majority owner while securing the definitive financial resources required to execute a massive network expansion

The transaction involves the acquisition of Bäckerei Kamps GmbH by Argos Wityu from the French conglomerate Le Duff Group. This acquisition is a pivotal step in Argos Wityu's overarching strategy to consolidate the German bakery market, following its 2024 acquisition of Bäckerei Schmidt and subsequent add-on deals in 2025. The integration of Kamps into the existing platform creates a powerhouse in the sector, operating over 400 branches nationwide. The rationale for the deal is rooted in achieving significant economies of scale, particularly in procurement, production, and logistics, while maintaining the strong local brand identities of the individual chains

Apollo Global Management has agreed to acquire a minority stake in The GoodLife Group a Canadian fitness giant. This transaction represents the first time GoodLife has taken on external equity capital in its 47-year history. The founder will remain as Chairman and a significant shareholder, maintaining the company's operational continuity. The strategic rationale for the deal is to provide GoodLife with the necessary capital to accelerate its long-term expansion strategy and reinforce its leadership position in the Canadian market

Friendly Hotels has secured a new round of investment to accelerate its expansion in major Alpine ski resorts. The operation sees the historical financial sponsor, 123 Investment Managers, renewing its commitment, strategically joined by new institutional partners Bpifrance and Smalt Capital. This newly formed financial consortium provides the crucial capital required for Friendly Hotels to successfully acquire the business and real estate of a new prime hotel, alongside purchasing the underlying property of one of its historically managed assets

Antin Infrastructure Partners entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire a majority stake (>90%) in Belambra Clubs from Caravelle. The transaction marks the exit of the family holding Caravelle after a 12-year holding period. The deal is executed via Antin's Midcap I fund. The management team remains in place to execute a EUR100 million investment plan. The strategic roadmap focuses on moving upmarket, opening at least one new site per year, and notably acquiring the real estate assets ("walls") of several clubs to secure the asset base

Bchef acquired its direct competitor "Les Burgers de Papa" to create a group with EUR40M in revenue and 70 restaurants. The transaction was funded by Bchef's previous fundraising with Elevation Capital Partners and senior bank debt. The founder of Les Burgers de Papa, Yves Hecker, exits the business. Both brands will maintain their distinct identities.