The S P F Blog

‘Private equity groups Blackstone and CVC Capital Partners are reportedly circling pub chain Mitchells & Butlers. Punch Taverns has already confirmed its intention to merge with M&B in an all-share deal, but the offer being planned by Blackstone and CVC would probably buy M&B with a new company and offer shareholders the chance to own around 50 per cent of the business‘

No surprise to see Punch with their hat in the ring, but I expect Punch to start suffering soon; they have too many pubs boarded up.

‘Gourmet Burger Kitchen owner Clapham House is considering selling off some of its other restaurant chains to fend off a possible takeover from Nando’s owner Capricorn Ventures. Capricorn has built up a near 30 percent stake in the firm, according to recent filings.’

I like Nando’s, they have a great concept; sophisticated simplicity and a quality product. I’m not sure what growth there is out there for them, there’s only so much chicken you can punt, so buying a new brand is an obvious and smart move while they are cleaning up and cash rich. Good luck to them.

France has announced plans to ban the sale of alcohol at petrol stations across the country, as part of a clampdown on drink drivers.
I love the French approach to many things, but allowing the sale of alcohol at service stations seems to be asking for trouble.

I seem to recall that some years ago they noticed an abundance of accidents involving car / tree collisions. In a bid to cut down such accidents, they set about cutting a lot of trees down, a very Gallic solution methinks

Legislators in Mississippi want to ban restaurants from serving fat people. Health inspectors would be able to revoke the licence of any establishment that repeatedly fed “extremely overweight people

Sounds a bit like bolting the stable door after the horse is long gone. I don’t think this is one that will come onto the radar for us, I just can’t picture the ‘Fat Police’ hassling restaurant owners for letting people eat, what are they going to do, weigh and measure people at the table?