Capabilities by Industry: Consumer Goods & Retail

Greenhill has considerable transaction experience and a global network of corporate relationships in the Consumer Goods & Retail sector.  Our Managing Directors and professionals in North America, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Australia and Japan have executed many of the most significant and complex transactions for some of the leading companies in the industry.

Our expertise in the Consumer Goods and Retail industry covers: food; specialty ingredients; agricultural commodities; beverage; tobacco; household and personal care; consumer health; grocery retail; apparel; specialty retail; e-commerce; foodservice; and restaurants.

Below we highlight a few of the transactions on which we have advised in this area:

Recent Transactions

28-Jul-08
$2.1 billion
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Target: 

Tesco Personal Finance Group Limited

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Acquiror: 
Tesco plc

Advised Tesco plc in relation to its acquisition of the 50% interest it does not already own in Tesco Personal Finance Group Limited, a joint venture with The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc. Tesco Personal Finance offers a range of retail insurance and banking products under the Tesco brand

09-Sep-13
$2.1 billion
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Target: 

Lucozade & Ribena brands (owned by GSK)

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Acquiror: 
Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd

Advised GlaxoSmithKline, the UK listed international pharmaceutical and consumer company, on the sale of its nutritional drinks brands Lucozade and Ribena to Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd

16-Jul-07
$2.1 billion
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Target: 

Applebee’s International, Inc.

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Acquiror: 
IHOP Corp.

Sole advisor to IHOP Corp., the fastest growing family dining concept in the US, on its acquisition of Applebee's

12-Jul-21
Pending
$1.7 billion
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Target: 

Tate & Lyle PLC’s Primary Products business in North America and Latin America (50% stake)

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Acquiror: 
KPS Capital Partners

Advising Tate & Lyle PLC, a leading UK-based global provider of food and beverage ingredients and solutions, on its sale of a controlling stake in its Primary Products business in North America and Latin America

27-Mar-18
$1.6 billion
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Target: 

Yakult

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Acquiror: 
Danone

Advised Danone, a leading global food & beverage company, on renewing its strategic partnership with Yakult, a global leader in probiotic beverages, as well as the sale of part of its stake in Yakult

22-Feb-19
$1.6 billion
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Target: 

Dairy Crest Group plc

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Acquiror: 
Saputo Inc.

Advised Dairy Crest Group plc, a producer of leading British food brands and value-added ingredients, on a recommended cash offer for its entire issued share capital from Saputo Inc, one of the top ten dairy processors in the world

28-Jul-22
Pending
$1.6 billion
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Target: 

Derco Holdings

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Acquiror: 
Inchcape Plc

Advising and acting as sponsor to Inchcape plc, the leading independent global automotive distributor, on its proposed Class 1 acquisition of Derco, the largest independent automotive distributor by volume in Latin America

13-Dec-02
$1.5 billion
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Target: 

Burger King Corp

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Acquiror: 
Texas Pacific Group, Bain Capital, Goldman Sachs Capital Partners

(subsidiary of Diageo plc) Advised Diageo plc on sale of Burger King Corporation restaurant system.

25-Feb-21
$1.5 billion
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Target: 

Ascena Retail Group, Inc.

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Acquiror: 
Sycamore Partners

Advised the Ad Hoc Group of First-Lien Term Loan lenders of Ascena Retail Group, Inc. with respect to (i) negotiation of a restructuring support agreement, including a fully backstopped DIP and exit financing and (ii) a sale of Ann Taylor, LOFT and Lane Bryant as well as the intellectual property assets of the Justice and Catherine’s brands.

13-Jul-17
$1.5 billion
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Target: 

L.L.Bean (Credit Card Assets)

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Acquiror: 
Citibank, N.A.

Advised  L.L.Bean Inc. on a strategic alliance relating to its credit card business with Citibank, N.A.

17-Oct-16
$1.4 billion
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Target: 

Save-A-Lot

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Acquiror: 
Affiliate of Onex Corporation

Advised SUPERVALU, Inc., one of the largest grocery wholesalers and retailers in the US, on the sale of its Save-A-Lot business, a leading hard-discount grocery retailer in the U.S., to an affiliate of Onex Corporation 

27-Mar-15
$1.4 billion
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Target: 

AA plc

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Advised AA plc, the UK’s leading roadside assistance provider, on the refinancing of its high yield bond and PIK instrument

09-Aug-22
$1.2 billion
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Target: 

Recipe Unlimited Corporation

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Acquiror: 
Fairfax Financial Holdings

Advising the Special Committee of Recipe Unlimited, the largest full-service restaurant company in Canada, on its go private transaction with Fairfax Financial Holdings 

15-Oct-18
$1.1 billion
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Target: 

Greencore Group plc’s US business

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Acquiror: 
Hearthside Food Solutions LLC

Advised and acted as sponsor to Greencore Group plc, a leading international manufacturer of convenience foods based in Ireland, on the disposal of its entire US business to Hearthside Foods Solutions

09-Jun-20
$1.02 billion
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Target: 

LIXIL VIVA

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Acquiror: 
Arcland Sakamoto

Advising Arcland Sakamoto, a leading owner and operator of large home centers, on the acquisition of LIXIL VIVA, a leading owner and operator of large home centers and a listed subsidiary of LIXIL Group, a leading Japanese manufacturer of building and housing materials

09-Sep-05
$1.0 billion
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Target: 

7-Eleven, Inc.

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Acquiror: 
Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd

Advised the special committee of 7-Eleven, Inc. in connection with its evaluation of an unsolicited tender offer commenced by Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd

11-Feb-11
$986 million
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Target: 

Findel plc

Advised Findel plc, a UK listed multi-channel retailer, on the restructuring of its balance sheet comprising an equity capital raising and refinancing of its debt and pension obligations

26-Nov-18
$880 million
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Target: 

Restaurant Brands New Zealand Limited

Acquiror: 
Finaccess Capital, S.A. de C.V.

Advised Finaccess Capital, an investment company with a strong presence in the casual dining and quick service restaurant sector, on its 75% partial takeover of Restaurant Brands New Zealand, a corporate franchisee specialising in managing multi-site branded food retail chains (with brands consisting of KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Carl’s Jr.)

18-Nov-18
$876 million
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Target: 

David's Bridal

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Acquiror: 
N/A

Advised the Ad Hoc Group of the company's $481mm term loan with respect to the company's prepackaged Chapter 11 restructuring

04-Dec-13
$850 million
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Target: 

Megapolis Distribution

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Acquiror: 
Japan Tobacco Inc

Advised Japan Tobacco Inc in connection with the acquisition of a minority stake in Megapolis Distribution B.V., Russia’s leading tobacco distributor

09-May-11
$843 million
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Target: 

The Forzani Group Ltd.

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Acquiror: 
Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited

Advised The Forzani Group Ltd., Canada's largest national retailer of brand-name and private-brand sporting goods, apparel and footwear, on its sale to Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited

08-Mar-04
$840 million
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Target: 

International Multifoods Corporation

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Acquiror: 
JM Smucker Company

Advised International Multifoods Corporation, whose brands include Pillsbury, Martha White, Hungry Jack and Robin Hood, on its sale to the J.M Smucker Company.

31-Mar-21
$801 million
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Target: 

Assets of NPC International, a former national Wendy’s and Pizza Hut franchisee

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Acquiror: 
Flynn Restaurant Group and a consortium of existing Wendy’s franchisees

Advised the Company on its chapter 11 proceedings and $801mm sale through a § 363 process

11-Jun-20
$760 million
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Target: 

CSM Bakery Solutions

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Acquiror: 
Rhône Group

Advised the Ad-Hoc Group of First Lien and Second Lien Lenders on consensual out-of-court amend & extend

18-Mar-21
$750 million
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Target: 

Canopy Growth Corporation

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Acquiror: 
King Street Capital Management, L.P.

Advised Canopy Growth, a leading diversified cannabis company, on its US$750 million term loan financing with King Street Capital Management, L.P.

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