ASK and Zizzi acquired by private equity firm for £250m


Private equity group, Cinven has sold ASK and Zizzi restaurant chains - part of the Gondola Group, to private equity firm Bridgepoint, Pret A Manger's owner, for £250m.

Sales at ASK and Zizzi have grown 22% over the last three years, and both brands have secured expansion plans. They currently operate 109 and 136 outlets respectively.

Cinven sold the 436-strong outlet PizzaExpress to Chinese buyout firm Hony Capital in July for £900m, while upmarket burger chain Byron was sold to private equity firm Hutton Collins in October for about £100m.