M&A Deal Summary

Graphite Capital Acquires Wagamama

On September 1, 2004, private equity firm Graphite Capital acquired restaurant Wagamama for 5M GBP

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Graphite Capital’s 1st transaction in the Restaurants sector.
  • This is Graphite Capital’s 23rd largest (disclosed) transaction.
  • This is Graphite Capital’s 34th transaction in the United Kingdom.
Investment Fate
  • Wagamama was sold to a financial buyer in 2005 for 103M GBP.
  • Wagamama was sold to a consortium of financial buyers in 2011 for 215M GBP.
  • Wagamama was sold to a financial buyer in 2011.
  • Wagamama was sold to a publicly-traded strategic buyer in 2018 for 559M GBP.

M&A Deal Summary
Date 2004-09-01
Target Wagamama
Sector Restaurants
Buyer(s) Graphite Capital
Deal Type Buyout (LBO, MBO, MBI)
Deal Value 5M GBP

Target

Wagamama

Southwark, United Kingdom
website
Wagamama provides pan-Asian inspired cuisine serving food based on Japanese cuisine with 108 restaurants around the world. Wagamama was formed in 1992 and is based in London. United Kingdom.

Search 193,711 Deals Now

SEARCH BY

  • Buyer Type (PE or Strategic)
  • Deal Size ($10M to $10B+)
  • Sector (60 Sectors)
  • Deal Type
  • Geography
  • & More

Try For Free 7-Day Free Trial

Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

Graphite Capital

London, United Kingdom

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

website

Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1981
PE ASSETS 1.2B GBP
Size Large
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Graphite Capital is a private equity firm that seeks mid-market investments in the UK. Target sectors include retail and consumer, manufacturing, services and distribution, financial services, healthcare, leisure, and property. The Firm looks for transactions valued from £30 to £150 million. Prospective transaction situations typically include management buyouts/buy-ins of corporate spin-offs or privately held companies. The Firm also considers roll-outs and consolidation strategies. Graphite Capital was originally formed in 1981 and became independent in 2001. Graphite is based in London.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 36 of 79
Sector (Restaurants) 1 of 4
Type (Buyout (LBO, MBO, MBI)) 32 of 53
Country (United Kingdom) 34 of 75
Year (2004) 2 of 3
Size (of disclosed) 23 of 23
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2004-07-13 Paperchase Products

London, United Kingdom

Paperchase Products Ltd. is a provider in design-led stationery, cards, and gift-wrap. The company designs much of its own product range and new collections are released every few weeks. Paperchase Products was established in 1968 and is based in London, United Kingdom.

Sell -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2004-09-03 Maplin Electronics

Rotherham, United Kingdom

Maplin Electronics Ltd. is a specialist retailer of consumer electronics. Its national network of stores are a goldmine of useful consumer technologies and gadgets.

Sell £244M
Mergr

Product

Company

Legal