Mon 9th Jun 2025 - Exclusive: Gusto Italian to assess investment options Exclusive – Gusto Italian to assess investment options: Gusto Italian, the Palatine and Beechbrook Capital-backed, premium Italian restaurant and bar group, has appointed advisors to help review its investment options, Propel has learned. It is understood that the 13-strong brand has begun working with advisory firm Interpath and that a process could include a restructure of the business and an assessment of its investment options. The company previously tested the investment waters last year and Propel understands it came close to being acquired by a trade buyer, until the announcement of last October’s Budget saw that deal collapse. The business was founded in 2005 by Living Ventures, the hospitality and development platform led by Jeremy Roberts and the late Tim Bacon. Palatine backed a management buyout of the business in 2014, with Beechbrook providing a mezzanine loan. Over the ensuing 11 years, the company has established itself as a “best-in-class operator, providing a premium, Italian inspired dining experience” from an estate of city centre and neighbourhood sites, with a footprint stretching from Edinburgh to Oxford. The company, which operates half of its sites in the north west, opened its first southern site, in Oxford, at the end of 2022 after a £1.8m investment. Last November it closed its Didsbury restaurant “following an approach from a well-known high street retailer”, with Oliver Bonas subsequently opening on the site. Earlier this year, Paul Moran succeeded Matt Snell as chief executive of Gusto. Snell, who has served as the company’s chief executive for the past seven years, subsequently took the chief executive role at Boxpark. Moran was group managing director at Living Ventures for 25 years. Roberts said at the time: “This change in leadership has been carefully planned. I am looking forward to seeing how Paul and the rest of the Gusto team will build on the stellar work Matt and his leadership team have done.” Gusto and Interpath declined to comment. Gusto features in the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book, which is available exclusively to Premium Club members and the next edition will feature 1,125 companies when it is released on Friday (13 June) at 12pm. Gusto’s turnover of £26,679,000 for the year ending 30 September 2023 is the 423rd highest in the database. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.