LONDON: Fortress Investment Group through CF Exedra Bidco Limited has offered to acquire Loungers plc. Under the terms of the acquisition, each Loungers shareholder will be entitled to receive 310 pence in cash per share with an alternative option to participate in an unlisted share alternative in respect of some or all of their Loungers shares.

The cash offer values the entire issued, and to be issued, ordinary share capital of Loungers Plc at approximately £338.3 million, and at an enterprise value of approximately £350.5 million.

Loungers plc is a British cafe-bar and restaurant chain founded in 2002 by Alex Reilley, David Reid, and Jake Bishop, with over 200 locations in the United Kingdom. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange. The chain operates three brands: Lounge, Cosy Club and Brightside.

Commenting on the Acquisition, Alex Reilley, the Chairman of Loungers, said: “We remain very confident about Loungers’ future prospects and the half year results that we announced separately today clearly demonstrate the strong momentum that we have in the business.

Loungers has come a long way since we opened our first site in Bristol in 2002, and we are hugely proud of the jobs we’ve created, the positive impact we’ve made on the UK’s high streets, and the outstanding hospitality our amazing teams have provided since then.

We are more ambitious than ever and we see Fortress as being an ideal partner to help us take Loungers into the next phase of its growth journey. We believe that the Acquisition represents a compelling proposition for all of our stakeholders and will allow us to execute our ambitious growth plans even more decisively and effectively.”

Commenting on the Acquisition, Domnall Tait, Managing Director at Fortress said: “Fortress is pleased to present this offer for Loungers, a company we believe holds a strong and differentiated position in its industry.

Loungers’ Directors have delivered impressive increases in the number of locations, same-store sales and revenues over the past several years – in spite of the recent challenges faced by the wider hospitality sector. This growth, and management’s continued commitment to the business, give us confidence in the company’s growth potential and in the opportunity to increase value.

Fortress brings to the table a successful track record of investing in consumer-focused businesses across the globe, particularly in the UK. For example, Fortress’ investment in Majestic Wines and Punch Pubs & Co. has helped drive the growth of each of those companies. Today’s announcement further strengthens Fortress’ commitment to the UK market, and to being a responsible steward of and investor in UK businesses.

Fortress has a high conviction in the future of experience-led retail and hospitality, and believes this is highly complementary to Loungers’ business model, strong operational performance, and impressive management team. Fortress looks forward to partnering with Loungers’ management and to providing them with support to drive the business through its next stage of growth.”

Fortress’ high conviction in Loungers’ growth prospects is based in part on its extensive experience in making direct investments in hospitality and consumer-focused companies, including Punch Pubs & Co., Majestic Wines and Vagabond in the UK, and in Red Lobster, Krystal, Logan’s Roadhouse, J. Alexander, Rocket convenience stores in the USA. Fortress has experience in making public offers in the UK and globally.

In addition, Fortress has a strong belief in the future of experience-led retail and hospitality offerings in the UK market – underscored by its recent acquisition of Curzon, alongside the companies mentioned above.