Investindustrial takes bite of Italian marketplace chain Eataly

• Eatinvest, the Baffigo/Miroglio family and Clubitaly will own 48%
• Investindustrial’s investment will allow Eataly to retire net financial debt and free up capital for the group’s global expansion plans
• A new CEO is set to be announced

Investindustrial via its Investindustrial VII fund on Wednesday announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire a 52 percent stake in Eataly, the Italian marketplace chain, for €200 million. The existing shareholders Eatinvest, the Baffigo/Miroglio family and Clubitaly will own the rest of the company.

Eataly, headquartered in Alba, promotes and sells food ‘Made in Italy’. It has been in operation for almost 20 years and has locations globally.

Investindustrial’s investment will allow Eataly to retire net financial debt and free up capital for the group’s global expansion plans. Eataly will shortly announce a new CEO, with incumbent Nicola Farinetti becoming chairman.

“The collaboration between Investindustrial, the Farinetti family, the Baffigo/Miroglio family and Clubitaly is focused on supporting Eataly’s next stage of growth, preserving its unique DNA and maintaining its profile of sustainability, supply chain control and integrity,” said Andrea Bonomi, chairman of Investindustrial’s advisory board.

Investindustrial is a London-based group of independently managed investment, holding and advisory companies with over €11 billion of raised fund capital. The firm was founded in 1990 and looks to take controlling positions in predominantly Southern European medium-sized businesses.

The firm has invested over €2.5 billion in the food sector and has several Italian companies within its portfolio. These companies include Doria, a producer of Italian food and beverages, Italcanditi, an ingredients company and Dispensa Emilia, a restaurant chain.