CH&CO (Equistone-backed) Acquires Mitie Catering (Gather & Gather & Creativevents)

OCS Group International to Acquire Mitie Group for ~£3.1 Billion

July 21, 2026

Industrial Services

OCS Group International has agreed to acquire Mitie Group in a recommended, all-cash transaction valuing Mitie at approximately £3.1 billion. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027 via a Scottish court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement, subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder votes.

CCMP Growth Advisors Acquires Combined Caterers

December 3, 2024

Restaurants & Hospitality

CCMP Growth Advisors has acquired Combined Caterers, a premium event management and catering services provider headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Stellus Capital Management provided senior debt financing and an equity co-investment to support the transaction, while Falfurrias Capital Partners exited its investment; Combined Caterers' management (CEO Justin King and CFO/COO Melissa Sutherland) will remain significant shareholders.

WECO Hospitality Acquires EatMise

November 8, 2024

Food & Beverage

WECO Hospitality has acquired EatMise, a New York–based meal kit company, to expand its at-home dining offerings by combining fully prepared meals with pre-prepped meal kits. The acquisition will integrate EatMise's technology-driven operations and restaurant partnerships to broaden WECO's product line and provide more flexible meal options to customers in the New York area.

Compass Group Acquires CH&CO from Equistone

January 22, 2024

Restaurants & Hospitality

Compass Group PLC has agreed to acquire CH&CO, a UK & Ireland premium contract catering and hospitality services provider, for an initial enterprise value of £475 million plus an earn-out. The transaction, subject to regulatory approval, buys CH&CO from private equity owner Equistone and expands Compass's capabilities and footprint in the UK and Ireland; CH&CO generates c. £450m revenue and employs over 10,000 people.

CH&CO Acquires Blue Apple and Pabulum (Equistone-backed)

August 22, 2023

Restaurants & Hospitality

Equistone-backed CH&CO has completed two bolt-on acquisitions, buying workplace caterer Blue Apple and education caterer Pabulum to expand its workplace and education portfolios in the UK. Financial terms were not disclosed; Blue Apple serves 58 locations with turnover of £14m and nearly 300 employees, while Pabulum (based in Fleet, Hampshire) operates in over 100 schools with turnover of £28.5m and over 800 employees.

Equistone Partners Europe Acquires CH&CO Group from MML Capital Partners

April 18, 2019

Restaurants & Hospitality

Equistone Partners Europe has invested in CH&CO, a leading UK contract catering and hospitality group headquartered in Reading. The transaction is an acquisition from MML Capital Partners (which realized a reported 3x return); CH&CO's CEO Bill Toner and management retain a material shareholding and Equistone will support further add-on acquisitions and growth.