Little Chef owner confirms it is considering sale
Little Chef owner Kout Food Group has confirmed that ‘more than one corporation' is interested in buying the brand, following reports that a sale was imminent.
The Sun newspaper claimed last week that a sale to Euro Garages could take place within days.
At the time, Kout Food Group was not available to comment, but it has now issued a statement saying that it was considering "all options" for the 70-strong chain of roadside diners.
It said: "Kout Food Group confirms that more than one corporation (including an international chain) has expressed interest in commencing operations within the Little Chef portfolio of over 70 sites.
"Kout Food Group will evaluate all strategic options for this unique portfolio, keeping in view stakeholders including customers and staff."
Kout Food Group acquired Little Chef in 2013 for £15m. Currently there are 70 Little Chefs sites, down from a peak of nearly 450 in 2000.
EuroGarages has partnerships with Starbucks, Subway, Greggs and Burger King but does not operate its own brands.
In 2013, the Blackburn-based company took on leases of five former Little Chefs for conversion into coffee shops in a licensing arrangement with Starbucks.
Little Chef could be taken over ‘within days' >>
