UK - ABN AMRO Capital backs £70.4m buyout of TGI Friday's

ABN AMRO Capital, in association with US-based Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, has agreed to acquire 45 TGI Fridayт€™s restaurants in the UK from Whitbread Plc. As the global leader in the casual dining industry, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide is the master franchisor of the TGI Fridayт€™s brand, and with this acquisition the UK will become the largest market in which Carlson Restaurants Worldwide has ownership outside of the US. ABN AMRO Capital will take a majority stake in the business with 60% ownership, and Carlson Restaurants Worldwide will own the remaining stake with 40% ownership. The transaction, which is expected to complete in early March subject to customary approvals, values the business at ТЃ70.4m. Barclays Bank will provide senior debt facilities.