Premium burger chain Haché eyes quick flip to new owner

A chain of premium burger restaurants founded by a former business partner of the James Bond actor Sir Roger Moore has drafted in advisers to explore a sale.

Sky News understands that Haché, which has five outlets across London, is working with Interpath Advisory on an accelerated auction process.

Prospective buyers have begun being sounded out in recent days, according to insiders.

Haché, which was founded by Jamie Barber, an entertainment lawyer who became a restaurateur in 1999 when he opened Hush in Mayfair with Sir Roger and his son Geoffrey, sells gourmet burgers - an area of the casual dining market which has become intensely competitive over the last decade.

A number of rivals, including Byron and Gourmet Burger Kitchen, have gone through financial restructurings, with the industry's travails exacerbated by the COVID pandemic.

Haché also partners with Deliveroo, and is said to be exploring a range of sale or investment options.

The sale process comes amid a fresh wave of corporate activity in the sector, with hospitality executives increasingly concerned about data showing a decline in consumer confidence.

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Next week's budget and new workers' rights laws are also expected to heap further pressure on the sector.

TGI Fridays' UK arm was recently sold through a pre-pack administration to Breal Capital and Calveton, which already owned the upmarket restaurant group D&D London.

A spokesperson for Haché said: "Following the sale of two of our sites last year, we have received considerable interest in our remaining sites and as such, we have recently appointed advisors to help us explore our strategic options in relation to them."

Interpath declined to comment.