Linklaters and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have the lead roles on Chinese private equity company Hony Capital’s proposed $1.54 billion acquisition of London-based restaurant chain PizzaExpress Ltd.
PizzaExpress operates in 13 countries outside of the United Kingdom, including 12 restaurants in Hong Kong, nine in Shanghai and one in Beijing. Hony Capital is buying the company from U.K. private equity firm Cinven Partners, which controls PizzaExpress and a number of other casual dining restaurants through its portfolio company Gondola Group Ltd. No date was given for when the deal was expected to close.
