The burger fast food industry in the Nordics is vibrant, showcasing a mix of traditional and innovative dining experiences. Characterized by an influx of both international chains and local gems, this sector thrives on delivering quality burgers, vegetarian options, and unique flavor combinations that cater to diverse tastes. Sustainability is becoming a key focus, with many companies prioritizing eco-friendly packaging and locally sourced ingredients. Popular trends include gourmet burgers and meal customization, reflecting changing consumer preferences. As the market continues to grow, the emphasis on technology and delivery services is reshaping how customers engage with these brands.


The listed investors in this article range from corporate giants to private equity firms, primarily based in Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Notable firms like Kinnevik and Orkla ASA have substantial investments, with Kinnevik actively participating in 10 ventures in 2024. Most investors were founded between 1989 and 2018, and they vary in size, with many employing between 11 and 500 personnel. Their targeted approach highlights their commitment to transforming the burger fast food sector, creating an engaging environment for innovation, sustainability, and market expansion.


Top 10 Burger Fast Food Investors in the Nordics


1. Orkla ASA

  • Website: orkla.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Oslo, Oslo, Norway
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: orkla-asa

Orkla ASA is a leading industrial investment company based in Oslo, Norway, founded in 2017. It operates across various sectors, including branded consumer goods, aluminium solutions, and financial investments. Orkla offers a diverse range of products, including food, snacks, health, and personal care items. Notably, Orkla has made significant strides in the foodservice industry through various acquisitions. In 2018, they announced the acquisition of Kotipizza Group, a Finnish restaurant chain, for approximately €146.1 million, aiming to enhance their presence in the Finnish restaurant market. In 2021, they acquired an 80% stake in Seagood Oy Fort Deli, a Finnish foodservice company, to strengthen their position in the foodservice sector. Additionally, they acquired a 75% stake in a Dutch pizza chain, further indicating their interest in the food service and fast food markets. These transactions highlight Orkla's strategic focus on expanding its footprint in the foodservice industry, which includes segments relevant to burger fast food.


2. Kinnevik

  • Website: kinnevik.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1936
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 10
  • LinkedIn: investment-ab-kinnevik

Kinnevik is a Stockholm-based investment company founded in 1936, known for partnering with innovative entrepreneurs across various sectors, including healthcare, software, marketplaces, and climate tech. They provide capital and operational support to help companies scale and create long-term value. Notably, Kinnevik has made significant investments in the food delivery space, particularly with HungryPanda, which raised substantial funding rounds in 2020 and 2021, with Kinnevik contributing $35 million in one of those rounds. This involvement highlights Kinnevik's interest in the food industry, particularly in services that may include fast food options, thus positioning them as a relevant player in the burger fast food investment landscape. Additionally, their investment in Karma, a marketplace aimed at reducing food waste, reflects their commitment to innovative food solutions, although it is less directly related to fast food.


3. Armada


Armada Credit Partners is a private equity investment firm based in Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in providing tailored private debt solutions for sustainable and fast-growing mid-market companies in Northern Europe. Armada partners with private equity investors and management teams to offer flexible financing options that enable companies to achieve their growth objectives. With a commitment to responsible investing, Armada supports businesses across various sectors. Notably, they have been involved in financing Bastard Burgers, a prominent player in the burger fast food industry, through a debt financing round in December 2019. This transaction highlights Armada's engagement in the burger sector, alongside their other investments in diverse industries such as Joe & the Juice and Linas Matkasse, which, while not directly related to burgers, showcase their broader investment strategy.


4. CapMan

  • Website: capman.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
  • Founded year: 1989
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: capman

CapMan Oyj is a private equity investment management firm based in Helsinki, Finland, founded in 1989. The firm specializes in private equity, real estate, infrastructure, and natural capital investments, catering to institutional investors seeking sustainable returns. CapMan has a strong presence in the Nordic markets and leverages its expertise to manage funds and drive value creation. Notably, CapMan has invested in Papa John's LLC, a significant player in the burger fast food sector, which highlights their engagement in this industry. Additionally, their diverse portfolio includes acquisitions in various sectors, such as hospitality with Kämp Collection Hotels and children's entertainment with HopLop, showcasing their broad investment strategy while still maintaining a foothold in the fast food market through their involvement with Papa John's.


5. Equip Capital

  • Website: equip.no
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Oslo, Oslo, Norway
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn: equip-capital

Equip Capital is a private equity firm based in Oslo, Norway, founded in 2018. The firm specializes in investments in small and mid-sized companies across various sectors, including consumer, industrials, and business services. Equip Capital partners with entrepreneurs and management teams to unlock growth potential and enhance business performance through strategic investment and management expertise. Notably, they acquired a 60% equity stake in Bastard Burgers, a prominent burger restaurant chain in Sweden, which had sales of approximately SEK 200 million ($21 million) in 2018. This acquisition highlights their commitment to the burger fast food industry. Additionally, they have invested in Holy Greens, a concept in the healthy-fast casual segment, showcasing their diverse investment strategy.


6. Nordic Capital

  • Website: nordiccapital.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1989
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 10
  • LinkedIn: nordic-capital

Nordic Capital is a private equity firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1989. The firm specializes in investments across various sectors, including healthcare and technology, and partners with management teams to drive growth and operational improvements in portfolio companies. Nordic Capital has a strong focus on creating long-term value and sustainability in its investments. Notably, they have been involved in transactions within the food service industry, such as the acquisition of Lagkagehuset, a premium Danish bakery and food service chain, and the acquisition of Greenfood Group, which operates in the food sector. These transactions highlight their engagement in the food industry, which is relevant to the burger fast food context.


7. Herkules Capital


Herkules Capital is a private equity firm based in Oslo, Norway, founded in 2002. The firm specializes in managing investments in established companies with strong growth potential across various sectors, including energy, consumer goods, healthcare, services, and industrial technology. Notably, Herkules Capital has made significant investments in the restaurant industry, including the acquisition of Olivia Restauranter, which aims to expand its restaurant chain across Norway. They also acquired Espresso House Baresso, a prominent coffee chain, indicating their engagement in the food and beverage sector. These transactions highlight Herkules Capital's strategy of investing in companies with growth potential, particularly in the consumer goods and restaurant space, which may include burger fast food offerings.


8. Sentica

  • Website: sentica.fi
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
  • Founded year: 2004
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn: sentica-partners

Sentica is a private equity firm based in Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland, founded in 2004. The firm specializes in investment management services, focusing on providing capital and strategic support to businesses seeking growth or restructuring through private equity investments. Notably, Sentica has made significant investments in the food sector, including the acquisition of a majority shareholding in Kotipizza, a prominent pizza chain in Finland, in September 2011. This acquisition aimed to enhance the company's resources for business development and internationalization. Additionally, in May 2019, Sentica entered into an investment agreement to acquire approximately 55% of Picnic Group, which operates café chains and a procurement company. These transactions highlight Sentica's active role in the food service industry, making them a relevant player in the burger fast food investment landscape.


9. OrderYOYO

  • Website: orderyoyo.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Frederiksberg, Frederiksberg, Denmark
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: orderyoyo

OrderYOYO is a corporate investor based in Frederiksberg, Denmark, founded in 2015. The company specializes in providing online ordering systems and marketing solutions tailored for takeaway restaurants. Their services aim to empower local takeaway businesses, helping them operate more efficiently and profitably. In 2023 and 2024, OrderYOYO made significant acquisitions to strengthen its position in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry. Notably, they acquired App4 Developments, a UK-based online and kiosk ordering company, for DKK 54 million, which allows them to enter the smaller chain segment of the QSR industry. Additionally, they acquired Kingfood, a leading online ordering company in the UK and Ireland, and Gustoco, a German online ordering company, further expanding their reach and capabilities in the takeaway and fast food market. These transactions highlight OrderYOYO's commitment to enhancing the operational efficiency of takeaway restaurants, including those in the burger fast food sector.


10. Atria Plc

  • Website: atria.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Finland
  • Founded year: 1903
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: atria-plc

Atria Plc is a Finnish corporate investor founded in 1903, specializing in food manufacturing with a strong emphasis on meat and poultry products. The company is committed to sustainability and animal welfare, serving both consumers and businesses in the food service industry. In 2024, Atria made strategic moves to expand its presence in the convenience food sector by acquiring Atria Gooh AB, which enhances its capabilities in providing ready-to-eat food products. Additionally, Atria's acquisition of Aalbaek Specialiteter, Denmark's largest manufacturer of organic cold cuts, strengthens its position in the cold cuts market, which is relevant for burger fast food operations. Atria's focus on high-quality food products and transparency in production processes aligns with the growing demand for quality ingredients in the fast food industry.



Burger Fast Food Insights: Key Investors in the Nordics


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Orkla ASAOslo, Oslo, Norway10001+20171
KinnevikStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden11-50193610
ArmadaHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland1-1020100
CapManHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland51-20019894
Equip CapitalOslo, Oslo, Norway1-1020180
Nordic CapitalStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden201-500198910
Herkules CapitalOslo, Oslo, Norway11-5020020
SenticaHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland11-5020040
OrderYOYOFrederiksberg, Frederiksberg, Denmark51-20020151
Atria PlcFinland1001-500019032


Want to find more investors focusing on the burger fast food industry?

If you want to find more investors that are active in the burger fast foodindustry, you can do that with Inven. We built this list and analysis throughInven's Investor Search, and there are a lot more private equity, venturecapital, and corporate investors like these globally.

With Inven, you'll also get to know:

  • Deal History: Number of deals and their sizes.
  • Portfolio: Companies they've invested in.
  • Contact data: Key dealmakers, including their emails and phonenumbers.
  • ...and much more!