The Carlyle Group and Montefiore Investment announce they have entered into exclusive negotiations with PAI Partners for the sale of B&B Hotels

15 Dec 2015

Paris, France: Global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) and Montefiore Investment today announced that they have entered into exclusive negotiations with private equity firm PAI Partners for the acquisition by PAI of Groupe B&B Hotels alongside B&B's management team. The equity for the transaction would be provided by PAI Europe VI, PAI's latest €3.3bn fund.

Founded in Brittany, France in 1990, B&B operates a network chain of 343 budget hotels as of 30 September 2015 with a total of 28,503 rooms across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Czech Republic and Morocco. B&B is at the “high-end” of the budget hotel segment, serving business and leisure travellers. PAI intends to continue investing in the growth of the B&B platform by accelerating the hotel opening pace across Europe and beyond.

The offer is subject to the consultation process of the relevant “Comités d’entreprise” (French employee works councils) and all parties will enter into the final negotiations on successful completion of this process.

Georges Sampeur from B&B Hotels, said:
“We are exceptionally proud of B&B’s achievements over the past 25 years and believe PAI’s institutional support will facilitate our plans for expansion and further enhance the service we provide. Our success underscores the appeal of our concept. We look forward to working with PAI and are thankful to Carlyle and Montefiore for their support over the years.”

Jonathan Zafrani, Managing Director, Carlyle Europe Partners, said:
“B&B is typical of the Carlyle approach to investment whereby we support national champions as they grow their business operations internationally and into new markets. We are happy with the value we have created at B&B.” Pierre-Olivier Desplanches, Director, Carlyle Europe Partners, added: “We are proud of having worked alongside Georges Sampeur and his teams to enable significant development of the B&B platform across Europe.”

Eric Bismuth, CEO of Montefiore Investment, added:
“The incredible expansion of B&B perfectly illustrates our ‘Focus & Growth’ strategy that combines growth and profitability for our portfolio companies. We are very proud of having supported the company over the last decade and brought our expertise to its talented management to transform B&B into a reference in the hotel industry in Europe.”

Edward Chandler, Partner at PAI commented:
“We are delighted to partner with Georges Sampeur, Fabrice Collet and their team to support the continued expansion and success of this exceptional business. B&B has created one of the most valuable brands in the European hotel industry, and we look forward to expanding B&B’s coverage of the European and international markets.”

About B&B (as of 30 September 2015)

B&B was launched in Brittany, France in 1990 and is positioned at the “high end” of the budget hotel segment. Its innovative concept lies in offering high quality at a competitive price, to meet the needs of both business and leisure travellers. B&B operates (excluding franchises), 343 hotels as of 30 September 2015 with a total of 28,503 rooms across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Czech Republic and Morocco. Since the Group’s creation, quality has always been important in the development of hotels: choice of construction materials, equipment, furniture, policy of offering a real bathroom, sufficiently spacious family suites, generous all-you-can-eat breakfast buffets, access to latest technologies including free and unlimited WiFi access.
B&B Hotels is the third-largest budget hotel group in the country after Accor and Louvre Hôtels. In Germany, it is the second-largest budget hotel chain.

About PAI Partners

PAI is a leading European private equity firm with offices in Paris, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Munich and Stockholm. PAI manages €7.9 billion of dedicated buyout funds. Since 1994, PAI has completed 56 LBO transactions in 10 countries, representing €38 billion in transaction value. PAI is characterised by its industrial approach to ownership combined with its sector based organisation. PAI provides portfolio companies with the financial and strategic support required to pursue their development and enhance strategic value creation.
For further information about PAI: www.paipartners.com

Media Contacts
The Carlyle Group
Catherine Armstrong
+44 (0) 20 7894 1632
catherine.armstrong@carlyle.com
Steele & Holt
Daphné Claude
+33 6 66 58 81 92
daphne@steeleandholt.com
Montefiore Investment
CICOMMUNICATION – Marion FELIX / Catherine ISNARD
+33 (0) 1 47 23 90 48
cicom@cicommunication.com