According to new research from business advisory firm BDO, the number of merger and acquisition transactions relating to pubs, bars and restaurants looks set to rise significantly next year.
Head of restaurant and bars at BDO, David Campbell, told The Financial Times, “Eating out has been relatively unaffected in the consumer downturn and we see casual dining continuing to grow.
“With banks looking to offload pub assets and a number of profitable restaurant chains approaching the point where we would expect an ownership change, the market is ripe for M&A activity,” added Mr Campbell.
The firm also predicted that popular high-street chains such as Pizza Express and Jamie’s Italian could be acquired by new owners in 2012 as private equity companies look to cash in on the lucrative dining sector.
Mr Campbell added, “Companies will be investing in 2012 in anticipation of consumer pressure easing in 2013 as wage inflation supersedes cost inflation.”
The firm reported that as many as 5,000 pubs currently up for sale will see some sort of movement next year, with giants such as Greene King and Punch Taverns offloading less successful pubs and banks disposing of repossessed assets.
