The chicken fast food industry in Europe is a bustling sector characterized by a variety of chains and independent restaurants that specialize in chicken-based meals. From crispy fried chicken to gourmet chicken sandwiches and tender wraps, these establishments seek to satisfy the growing consumer demand for quick and flavorful dining options. Today, health-conscious choices and plant-based alternatives are gaining traction, reflecting changing consumer preferences. Moreover, with sustainability becoming a priority, many companies are exploring eco-friendly practices, innovative cooking methods, and sourcing local ingredients, ushering in a new era for chicken fast food that tackles both taste and responsibility.


Featuring a mix of venture capital and private equity firms, this list showcases investors headquartered in cities such as Zurich, London, and Luxembourg. Ranging from small teams to large firms, these investors vary in size, with employee counts from 1 to over 5,000. Established between 1988 and 2020, they display an active approach, with investments in 2024 numbering up to 19. This broad spectrum highlights the ongoing interest and commitment toward enhancing the chicken fast food sector across Europe. Their contributions play a pivotal role in shaping future growth and innovation in the industry.


Top 12 Chicken Fast Food Investors in Europe


1. Blue Horizon

  • Website: bluehorizon.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: bluehorizoncorp

Blue Horizon is a Zurich-based venture capital firm founded in 2016, specializing in sustainable food systems. The firm supports mission-aligned founders in the bioeconomy by providing funding and resources to scale innovative solutions, particularly in alternative proteins and sustainable practices. Notably, Blue Horizon has invested in companies like Alpha Foods, which produces chik'n nuggets and other chicken alternatives, and Rebellyous Foods, which focuses on plant-based chicken products. These investments highlight their commitment to supporting entrepreneurs in the sustainable food sector, particularly those creating impactful changes in the chicken fast food context.


2. Cvc

  • Website: cvc.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: cvc-capital-partners

CVC Capital Partners is a prominent private equity investment firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2005. With approximately €193 billion in assets under management, CVC specializes in private equity, credit, secondaries, and infrastructure investments. The firm has a diverse portfolio, including significant transactions in the food sector. Notably, CVC acquired QSR Brands in 2013, which operates various chicken fast food brands, showcasing their commitment to the chicken fast food industry. Additionally, they have been involved in other food-related acquisitions, such as TelePizza and Skylark, further emphasizing their active role in the broader food market. Their recent acquisition of La Piadineria also indicates their ongoing strategy to invest in food service businesses, reinforcing their relevance in the fast food sector.


3. Gibbons

  • Website: just-eat.co.uk
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Borehamwood, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn: gibbons

Gibbons, founded in 2016 and based in Borehamwood, England, operates Just Eat, a prominent food delivery service that connects consumers with local restaurants. The platform allows users to order a wide variety of food items online, catering to those seeking convenient meal solutions. In recent years, Just Eat has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its service offerings. Notably, in 2019, Just Eat acquired City Pantry, a corporate catering marketplace, for £16 million, aiming to expand into the corporate catering market. More recently, in October 2023, Just Eat acquired several top London food spots, including restaurants from Gordon Ramsay's collection, to meet the growing consumer demand for delivery. This expansion into popular dine-in restaurants indicates Just Eat's commitment to diversifying its food offerings, which likely includes chicken fast food options among its extensive range of cuisines.


4. Partners Group

  • Website: partnersgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Baar, Zug, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 19
  • LinkedIn: partners-group

Partners Group Holding AG is a prominent investment management firm based in Baar, Zug, Switzerland, specializing in private equity, private infrastructure, private real estate, and private debt. Founded in 1996, the firm manages over USD 149 billion in assets and is recognized for its innovative approach and commitment to sustainability. Among its notable transactions, Partners Group acquired Pacific Bells and World Wide Wings in October 2015, both of which are involved in the chicken fast food industry. Additionally, they have invested in Hofmann Menu Manufaktur, a provider of customized food products, which may also relate to the broader food service sector. These transactions highlight Partners Group's active role in the food industry, particularly in the fast food segment.


5. Just Eat


Just Eat Takeaway.com N.V. is a leading global online food delivery marketplace based in London, England. Founded in 2000, the company connects consumers with over 699,000 partners across 19 countries, facilitating food and grocery delivery services. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Delivery Hero for over $1 billion in 2018, which expanded their market presence, and the acquisition of Lieferando in 2014 for $103 million, further enhancing their service offerings. Additionally, Just Eat has acquired several other food delivery platforms, such as 10bis and Bistro.sk, which contribute to their extensive network of restaurant partners. While Just Eat does not focus exclusively on chicken fast food, its role in the food delivery ecosystem makes it a significant player in the industry, including chicken fast food options.


6. Veg Capital

  • Website: vegcapital.co.uk
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: York, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: vegcapital

Veg Capital is a venture capital firm based in York, England, founded in 2020. The firm specializes in providing early-stage capital to companies developing plant-based alternatives to animal products, with a mission to support innovation in the food technology sector and address the inefficiencies of animal agriculture. Notably, Veg Capital has made significant investments in VFC Foods, a UK-based vegan chicken brand, which raised $14.3 million in a seed investment round led by Veg Capital in January 2022. This investment was aimed at team growth, research and development, and scaling operations, particularly in the US market. Additionally, Veg Capital participated in earlier funding rounds for VFC Foods, including a $3.4 million seed round in March 2021 and a $7.5 million seed round in April 2023. Their involvement in VFC Foods highlights their commitment to the chicken fast food sector through plant-based innovations. Veg Capital has also invested in other plant-based food companies, such as THIS and Convi Foods, further demonstrating their focus on the plant-based food industry.


7. Crédit Mutuel Equity


Crédit Mutuel Equity is a private equity investment firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 1988. The firm focuses on providing capital and strategic support to businesses across various sectors, integrating economic and ESG considerations into their strategies. Notably, they have made investments in the food industry, including La Croissanterie, which operates in the fast food sector, and La Mie Câline, a bakery chain that also offers fast food options. These transactions highlight their engagement in the food market, making them a relevant player in the chicken fast food context, even if their portfolio is diverse.


8. Ldc

  • Website: ldc.co.uk
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1981
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 15
  • LinkedIn: ldc

Lloyds Development Capital (LDC) is a private equity firm based in London, England, founded in 1981. It specializes in providing growth capital and strategic support to mid-market businesses across various sectors. As part of Lloyds Banking Group, LDC focuses on helping management teams achieve their growth ambitions through investment and advisory services, fostering long-term partnerships to drive business success. Recently, LDC has been active in the poultry sector, acquiring companies such as the Routhiau Group, a leading French poultry company, and engaging in negotiations to acquire Groupe Routhiau, which operates in the meat and plant-based business. These transactions highlight LDC's commitment to expanding its footprint in the poultry industry, which is directly relevant to the chicken fast food market. Additionally, their acquisition of Vital Ingredient and The ComplEAT Food Group further showcases their diverse investment strategy, which includes food-related businesses.


9. TriSpan

  • Website: trispanllp.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: trispan-corp

TriSpan is a private equity firm based in London, England, specializing in lower middle market investments. Founded in 2015, the firm provides capital and operational support to businesses across various sectors, including healthcare and manufacturing. TriSpan partners with entrepreneurial owners to enhance business value and achieve growth, leveraging its extensive experience and network. Notably, TriSpan has invested in Thunderbird Fried Chicken, a clear player in the chicken fast food market, which highlights their engagement in this sector. Additionally, their portfolio includes investments in other restaurant chains such as Pho, Mowgli Street Food, Rosa's Thai Cafe, and Rosa Mexicano, showcasing their active role in the broader food and dining industry.


10. Groupe Bertrand


Groupe Bertrand is a prominent hospitality and restaurant company based in Levallois-Perret, Île-De-France, France. Founded in 1997, the company operates a diverse range of dining establishments, luxury hotels, and event catering services, focusing on high-quality experiences in the French hospitality sector. Notably, Groupe Bertrand has made significant acquisitions to enhance its portfolio, including the acquisition of Quick Group in 2015, a fast food chain that includes chicken products in its menu. In 2023, they further diversified by acquiring Pitaya, a street food brand, which, while not specifically chicken-focused, indicates their interest in expanding their food offerings. These transactions highlight Groupe Bertrand's active role in the food industry, particularly in fast food, making them a relevant player in the chicken fast food market.


11. LocalGlobe

  • Website: localglobe.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2019
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 15
  • LinkedIn: localglobe

LocalGlobe is a venture capital firm based in London, England, founded in 2019. The firm partners with exceptional founders and companies at various stages of growth, from pre-seed to scale-up and public markets. LocalGlobe provides venture capital funding and investment management services, focusing on supporting startups in navigating their growth challenges. Notably, they have been involved in several transactions, including significant investments in Taster, a company that specializes in food delivery with a focus on chicken dishes, raising a total of $8 million in Series A funding and $4.1 million in a Seed Round. Additionally, they co-led a £10 million seed round for Dishpatch, which aims to expand its restaurant offerings, further indicating their interest in the food sector.


12. Nazca Capital

  • Website: nazca.es
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Madrid, Madrid, Spain
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn: nazcacapital

Nazca Capital is a private equity firm based in Madrid, Spain, founded in 2001. The firm specializes in managing funds for investments in small and medium-sized enterprises, focusing on providing capital and strategic support to help these businesses grow. Nazca Capital emphasizes responsible investment practices and integrates ESG considerations into their investment processes. Notably, Nazca has been involved in several acquisitions in the food sector, including the acquisition of Rodilla in 2003, a fast food chain known for its sandwiches. They also acquired Lizarran, a restaurant chain with a diverse menu that may include chicken dishes, and Guzmán Gastronomía, further showcasing their commitment to the food industry. These transactions highlight Nazca's active role in the fast food market, making them a relevant player in the chicken fast food investment landscape.



Chicken Fast Food Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Blue HorizonZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020162
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516
GibbonsBorehamwood, England, United Kingdom (UK)1-1020160
Partners GroupBaar, Zug, Switzerland1001-5000199619
Just EatLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)5001-1000020000
Veg CapitalYork, England, United Kingdom (UK)1-1020201
Crédit Mutuel EquityParis, Île-De-France, France51-20019882
LdcLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200198115
TriSpanLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)11-5020151
Groupe BertrandLevallois-Perret, Île-De-France, France10001+19970
LocalGlobeLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)11-50201915
Nazca CapitalMadrid, Madrid, Spain11-5020010


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

If you want to find more investors that are active in the chicken 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!