McWin to acquire majority stake in German casual dining chain L’Osteria

McWin will acquire a majority stake in L’Osteria, a casual dining operator in Germany and Austria to further accelerate its expansion both in the DACH region and in new and existing European markets.

The Czech Republic-based private investment firm McWin has not disclosed the value of its stake.

With the investment, McWin and its affiliates anticipate to increase their portfolio of restaurants to more than 1,500 across Europe.

Founded in 1999 by the existing stakeholders Klaus Rader and Friedemann Findeis, L’Osteria is a casual dining chain. It operates 157 locations with more than 6,000 employees across the DACH region, the UK, Luxembourg, France, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic.

McWin to acquire majority stake in German casual dining chain L’Osteria. Photo courtesy of McWin Fund.

Henry McGovern — McWin Founding Partner said: “Italian cuisine is universally popular, and L’Osteria is the clear market leader in the largest economy in Europe, with a strong track record across a wide range of operating environments.”

The transaction values the business at nearly €400 million ($435 million) and marks a significant investment for the EUR 525 million ($571 million) McWin Restaurant Fund (MRF), launched in August 2022.

Harry Goss — McWin Partner and Food Service Head said: “We are pleased to be partnering with the founders of L’Osteria, who are industry veterans having built multiple successful businesses over the last three decades, and its top-notch management team, led by CEO Mirko Silz, on their next phase of growth.

“The leadership team has achieved many admirable milestones, opening more than 100 restaurants in Germany, successful expansion into 7 further international markets, adept navigation of COVID and a market-leading recovery that followed it.”

The close of the acquisition is expected in the first quarter of 2023, subject to customary regulatory requirements.

McWin and affiliates with assets under management of more than €1 billion are presently investors in Gail’s, White Rabbit Projects, Burger King Germany, Burger King and Popeyes CEE, CookUnity and dean&david, BlueNalu, Perfect Day, Every Company, UPSIDE Foods, Impossible Foods as well as Footprint and Oishii.