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About the deal

Investec advised the shareholders of Sophie LEBREUILLY on an LBO sponsored by FrenchFood Capital, Cerea Partners, Sofiprotéol, Epopée Gestion, IRD, NextStage and Finorpa

Since its creation by Sophie and Olivier Lebreuilly in 2014 in Étaples-sur-Mer, the Sophie LEBREUILLY group has become a major player in next-generation bakeries and pastry shops. The brand first established itself in the Hauts-de-France region before expanding nationwide, offering a distinctive experience: warm and inviting spaces that combine dining, tea rooms, and high-quality products, including homemade pastries crafted in two dedicated workshops.

The Group has experienced notably strong growth, with the number of bakeries growing five times over the past four years (from 16 to 80) and its revenue increasing from €14 million to €70 million. By the end of 2025, the Group is expected to exceed its milestone of 100 bakeries.

To support the management’s ambitious development plan, the Group welcomes Cerea Partners as a key shareholder alongside FrenchFood Capital. Sofiprotéol, Epopée Gestion, IRD, NextStage, and Finorpa are also participating in this investment to support the rapid expansion of the network.

Additionally, a new unitranche financing structure provided by Apera Asset Management and Amundi has been put in place, extending maturity and securing Capex financing capacity.

What we did

Investec assisted the shareholders of Sophie LEBREUILLY throughout the project, including:

  • Structuring the transaction,
  • Defining the deal strategy,
  • Preparing marketing documentation,
  • Modelling the business plan,
  • Coordinating and reviewing the VDD work,
  • Managing the due diligence process,
  • Providing active support during negotiations with potential financial investors,
  • Securing a unitranche financing line from debt funds,
  • Assisting through to the closing.
Target Headquarter
Date
December 2024
Parties

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