Equity-I leads the acquisition of a 78% stake in City Gourmet International

Equity-I, a Dubai-based private equity firm, has announced the successful acquisition of a 78% stake in City Gourmet International (CGI), the owner of the international master franchising rights of such leading Parisian brands as the famous tea house “Angelina”, “Brasserie Lipp”, “Viagio”, and “Bert’s Cafe”, amongst others. Equity-I teamed up with a strategic investor on the acquisition that has lent its financial and F&B know-how to CGI for the rollout. The remaining stake in CGI is held by management, which is led by renowned restaurateur Mr. Thierry Laval, a French citizen who previously headed the international business of the mother company Groupe Bertrand out of Paris. He was also the CEO of Bert’s Cafe, one of the international brands under the CGI international umbrella.