Brentwood Investments has agreed to buy bb’s Coffee and Muffins, the high-quality branded coffee and muffin shop business with more than 50 outlets in leading shopping malls and outlet villages in the UK and Ireland. It is renowned for its freshly baked muffins (see below) and delicious premium coffee prepared by friendly, professional baristas. bb’s muffins are freshly baked in store each day from 200 unique and proprietary recipes.
Brentwood Investments led a group of private Irish and UK investors which completed the acquisition with senior debt provided by BlueBay Ireland. Following the transaction, management will become investors in the business alongside Brentwood.
The UK and Irish businesses will continue to trade under their respective companies, Kapelad Limited and RFG Ireland Limited, with the operations side of the business being boosted to support the existing team.
Andrew Moyes of RFG commented:
“Brentwood Investments’ strategic plan is for us to expand the business adding a further 40 company and franchise shops over the coming years. We are looking to open an additional 8 company shops across the UK and Ireland in the next 12 months, in shopping centres, plus more franchise shops with our existing franchise partners.
“I will become Group CEO responsible for Ireland and the UK, having been MD of the UK business for the last 5 years, taking over from Patrick McCarthy. Dermot McMahon remains as Finance Director, as does our support office team in Limerick, Ireland.
“I am really looking forward to growing the bb’s Coffee and Muffins brand in the UK and Ireland.”
BlueBay Ireland Corporate Credit is a vehicle established by BlueBay Asset Management LLP with substantial investment from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) to provide loans to larger SMEs and mid-sized corporates. This is the eleventh transaction completed by BlueBay Ireland since its launch in July 2013, representing over €175m of committed loans in aggregate.
Matt Scaife (Brentwood Investments) said:
“We are delighted to back a strong, branded consumer business with a differentiated customer proposition. bb’s has good growth prospects in the UK and Ireland and an excellent team. It is exactly the kind of business we are looking to invest in.”
As part of the transaction, bb’s has secured committed capital from Brentwood and BlueBay to add a further 40 locations in the UK and Ireland. Interested landlords and agents can find out more at www.bbscoffeeandmuffins.com and from Steve Brown at GCW, Steve.Brown@gcw.co.uk or +44 7900 888 863.
Brentwood Investments’ strategic plan is for us to expand the business adding a further 40 company and franchise shops over the coming years.
We are looking to open an additional 8 company shops across the UK and Ireland in the next 12 months, in shopping centres, plus more franchise shops with our existing franchise partners.
The UK and Irish businesses will continue to trade under their respective companies, Kapelad Limited and RFG Ireland Limited. We will look to boost the operations side of the business to support the existing team.
I will become Group CEO responsible for Ireland and the UK, having been MD of the UK business for the last 5 years, taking over from Patrick McCarthy. Dermot McMahon remains as Finance Director, as does our support office team in Limerick, Ireland.
I am really looking forward to growing the bb’s Coffee and Muffins brand in the UK and Ireland.”