US firm behind Rooney Anand’s pub investment
Los-Angeles-based business Oaktree is providing the finances behind RedCat Pub Company, The Telegraph revealed.
Anand, who headed up Greene King for 15 years until 2019 before joining Casual Dining Group as chairman, told The Telegraph: “There is no set playbook. I am not trying to recreate Greene King. I see myself as someone who’s investing in a sector that has been oversold, where people have taken cover and written it off and have been quick to say ‘it’s not going to recover’.
“I’ve always been a strong believer in the great British pub. It has survived the Blitz, the Great Plague and the credit crunch – always bouncing back and taking its rightful place at the heart of the community. There will always be a market for a decent pub.”
Figure increase
Last month (January), it was revealed Anand raised the £200m to invest in the pub sector and was set to embark on a series of acquisitions in the coming months with the backing of a then unnamed US-based private equity firm.
This figure is expected to increase to £500m with a further £300, in debt funding to be raised, reports have stated.
It was also revealed Oaktree, which has a near £110bn portfolio, will be looking to acquire individual businesses or operators, with a focus on south east pubs.
The trade reacted to this news, calling it “a vote of confidence in the pub sector resurgence” following a catastrophic year for the industry.
Significant evidence
Davey Co managing director Paul Davey said: “The news former Greene King chief Rooney Anand is looking to acquire specifically in the smaller scale pub acquisitions segment is significant evidence to support our strongly held view that the pub property market will see a strong resurgence as we pull through Covid restrictions into a post and quasi-post pandemic economy as this year unfolds.”
Fleurets director Simon Hall outlined how now is the best time for investors to consider opportunities in the sector.
He said: “By the time they sign deals and get them over the line, we are going to have a lot more clarity over releasing restrictions and trading is likely to bounce back.”
