“As I forecast two years ago this joint venture has offered new horizons for CH&Co commercially and wider choice for our clients,” said Tim Jones, chairman of CH&Co, “and now it is time for us to take the next step.”
He said CH&Co saw the acquisition as key strategic step in building on its commitment to match the best catering offers that brands supply on the high street and take them into the areas where it already has a strong commercial proposition: the workplace; the visitor attraction; and into corporate entertainment.
CH&Co last year announced a 26% rise in turnover to £97m and expects to comfortably break the £100m turnover milestone in 2014. It serves diners, visitors and guests at over 200 British locations including Hampton Court Palace, ZSL London Zoo, Gatwick Airport, SONY UK, and The Tower of London.
Apostrophe opened its first outlet in Shoreditch, East London, in 2001 and since the joint venture has opened at five new sites so that today it operates from 23 locations in central London, Heathrow and Gatwick.
Added Jones: “Industry clients; visitors to world-famous attractions; and even private guests attending events at historic venues all want the best when dining with us. Apostrophe helps meet this need and we look forward to developing it further.
“Let me offer sincere thanks to Apostrophe’s Amir Chen for building the strong and much loved brand that it is today - and now for passing it onto us.
“Amir has committed to stay with Apostrophe for as long as it takes to ensure a smooth transition of ownership. One of our first initiatives will be to refresh the menu – watch this space to find out more.”
Chen said: “I am so proud of what we have achieved and I look forward to seeing CH&Co build Apostrophe further. I am sure they will help it grow into new markets, which were previously inaccessible to Apostrophe alone.”