Gourmet Society goes Dutch in buyout
RESTAURANT discount firm The Gourmet Society has been acquired by a Dutch business that specialises in gift cards and leisure offers.
Stockport-based Simard, which trades as Gourmet Society and has 40 staff, has been acquired along with a related company called The Restaurant Choice by Amsterdam’s DIDIX.
Simard is owned by Simon Leonard who will stay on and become a shareholder and board member of DIDIX which is owned by Waterland Private Equity. The value of the deal was not disclosed.
The Gourmet Society runs a diners’ club which gives members offers such as two-for-one meals or 25% off the total bill. The Restaurant Choice, which Mr Leonard owns with Ged Cuthbert and Jennifer Goddard, sells vouchers which can be used in chains such as Nandos and Pizza Express.
The Gourmet Society will continue to trade under the same name and Mr Leonard will now look to expand in Europe.
He said: “It’s an exciting development for The Gourmet Society and will take our strong offer into Europe. We are already working with over 6,700 partner restaurants across the UK, offering diners superb value, and this deal will pave the way for rolling out the model far and wide.”
Grant Thornton Corporate finance acted as lead advisor on the transaction.
