PE Tech Report

NEWSLETTER

Like this article?

Sign up to our free newsletter

ACE & Company launches new investment vehicle in the Swiss food and beverage industry

ACE & Company has launched its first food and beverage (F&B) vehicle specialised in investing in attractive opportunities in the fine foods and consumer food service sectors within Switzerland. 

The vehicle will invest in high-quality and defensible brands with national and regional ambitions as well as international potential. ACE & Company’s F&B vehicle will provide partners with the financial, strategic and operational support needed to maximise their growth prospects. 
 
In addition to being synonymous with first-rate quality products and services, the F&B industry in Switzerland is attractive offering large untapped opportunities as a result of a highly fragmented market with few intermediaries. According to CIA World Fact Book, Switzerland’s growing F&B market accounts for over 10% of the country’s GDP at approximately CHF70bn. The fine food and healthy product segments have experienced the highest growth rate within the sector, followed by food manufacturers producing premium products with a high export ratio such as chocolate and coffee products. Euromonitor estimates the Swiss consumer food service sector is worth approximately CHF12bn, with over 75% of that being generated by independent operators leaving room for consolidators to enter the market. 
 
The first investment for the F&B vehicle is in Luigia, a contemporary Italian restaurant and pizzeria known for serving the finest quality food at affordable prices in a friendly and stylish atmosphere. It represents a unique concept within Switzerland, integrating elements of trendy casual dining restaurants, while remaining true to authentic Italian cuisine with a focus on high-quality and fresh ingredients. Luigia’s operations will continue to be managed by Luigi Guarnaccia and Enrico Coppola, co-founders of the company. By 2019, Luigia intends to expand the number of Swiss restaurants from its current two locations up to nine locations throughout the country as well as take advantage of the existing demand for international franchising opportunities. 
 
In describing the partnership Mr. Guarnaccia said, “We are honored to have been courted by a number of different investors at this important step in the development of Luigia. Today, we have chosen ACE & Company because the group embraces both our vision and mission to financially and sustainably grow our business. We are confident that together we will continue our strategic expansion into the international dining scene with our ‘Italian lifestyle food’”. Since signing the partnership Luigia has appointed a new CFO, Davide Cayetano, to support the company’s financial and strategic planning. 
 
On the subject, Christopher Kile, Co-founder and Managing Director at ACE & Company, says: “We have been impressed by the entire Luigia team and their proven ability to consistently deliver quality products and excellent service in a challenging marketplace. We are excited to support the development of this great brand into a household name across Switzerland.”  

Like this article? Sign up to our free newsletter

MOST POPULAR

FURTHER READING

Featured