FSI advise on the acquisition of Tom Aikens’ restaurant business

Tue, 29 Mar 2011

FSI advise London Doors Restaurant Group Ltd, a joint venture between the established Turkish based Istanbul Doors Restaurant Group (www.istanbuldoors.com) and the private equity firm Trilantic Capital Partners LLP (www.trilanticpartners.com), on the acquisition of the restaurant business of Michelin-starred Tom Aikens from the entrepreneur Peter Dubens.

As of 23 March 2011, the London Doors Restaurant Group will become an investment and strategic partner of Tom’s, to both oversee his existing restaurants, and to grow the business.

Currently, The Tom Aikens Group has two Chelsea sites – Tom Aikens Restaurant, and Tom’s Kitchen – in addition to Tom’s Kitchen, Tom’s Deli, Tom’s Terrace and Tom’s Events, all at Somerset House on the Embankment.

This partnership will be looking to expand and strengthen the Tom’s Kitchen brand; in addition, a significant refurbishment and re-launch of the flagship Tom Aikens Restaurant in Elystan Street is planned for early September with a more contemporary look and new more informal menu and service approach.

FSI’s team was led by partner Peter Carter (Corporate), supported by James Wells and Gillian White (Corporate), Adam Walford (Real Estate), Robert Lands (Intellectual Property) and Jonathan Hallows (Employment).

Peter Carter commented "we have been delighted to work with the combined forces of Istanbul Doors Restaurant Group and Trilantic Capital Partners in their new UK joint venture and we are confident that their wealth of experience combined with the strength of the Tom Aikens' product and brand will fuse to see the business blossom."