The airline food catering industry in Europe is a vital segment of the aviation sector, focusing on providing meals and in-flight services for airlines. Today, the market includes various players, from specialized caterers like gategroup to corporate giants like Accor that integrate catering into their extensive hospitality offerings. With increasing demand for high-quality, sustainable meal options, the industry is evolving rapidly, emphasizing healthier choices and innovative dining experiences. Companies are investing in technology to enhance service efficiency and customer satisfaction, signaling a shift towards more tailored and dynamic in-flight catering solutions.


Investors in this list represent a mix of private equity and venture capital firms headquartered throughout Europe, particularly in major hubs like London and Paris. With investment counts ranging from 0 to 198 deals in 2024, these firms vary in size, employing between 1 and over 10,000 staff members. Founded from as early as 1854, these companies highlight the ongoing interest and investment potential in the airline food catering market. Collectively, they showcase a robust commitment to growth within this niche sector, aiming to support and innovate catering services on European airlines.


Top 13 Airline Food Catering Investors in Europe


1. Bpifrance French Tech Accélération


Bpifrance French Tech Accélération is a venture capital firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2015. As a public entity and financial institution, Bpifrance supports entrepreneurs and businesses in France and internationally through various services, including direct funding and private equity investments. The firm has been active in the food service sector, with notable transactions such as the investment in Dupont Restauration, which focuses on catering services, and Foodles, a company that raised significant funding for its food delivery services. Furthermore, Bpifrance's involvement in the acquisition of Sabena technics, a company that provides services to the aviation industry, highlights its strategic interest in sectors that intersect with airline operations, including food catering. This diverse portfolio reflects Bpifrance's commitment to fostering innovation and growth in various industries, including those related to airline food catering.


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 firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2005. The firm specializes in private equity, credit, secondaries, and infrastructure, managing approximately €193 billion in assets for over 1000 clients, including pension funds and institutional investors. CVC has a diverse portfolio, with notable acquisitions in the food sector, such as Rungis, which they acquired in December 1997, and Berlys, acquired in March 2024. These transactions highlight CVC's strategic focus on companies that operate within the food distribution and catering industry, making them a significant player in the airline food catering market. Additionally, their investment in Skylark, a restaurant chain, further emphasizes their commitment to the food industry, showcasing their capability to deliver sustainable value and growth through strategic investments in food-related businesses.


3. 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, that specializes in providing growth capital and strategic support to mid-market businesses across various sectors. Founded in 1981, LDC is part of Lloyds Banking Group and focuses on fostering long-term partnerships to drive business success. Notably, LDC has made significant investments in the catering sector, including the acquisition of Airline Services Interiors in March 2012, which operates in the airline catering industry. Additionally, LDC has been active in the broader food sector, acquiring companies like Maison Randy and Routhiau Group, which are involved in food production and catering. These transactions highlight LDC's commitment to enhancing its presence in the food and catering markets, including airline catering.


4. Bgf

  • Website: bgf.co.uk
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 53
  • LinkedIn: bgfinvestments

BGF Investment Management Limited is a venture capital firm based in London, UK, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in providing growth funding and value creation support to small and mid-sized businesses in the UK and Ireland. BGF focuses on addressing the funding gap in the market through minority investments and extensive support services. Notably, BGF has invested in several catering-related businesses, including Entier, a Scottish catering group that received a £6.5m investment to expand its overseas operations, which could include airline catering services. Additionally, BGF invested in Peyton and Byrne, which operates in the premium catering sector, and Crêpeaffaire, which aims to expand its presence in the UK and overseas. These transactions highlight BGF's engagement in the catering industry, making them a relevant player in the airline food catering sector.


5. EQT Group

  • Website: eqtgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 30
  • LinkedIn: eqt-partners

EQT Group is a prominent investment firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, specializing in private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. Founded in 1994, EQT serves institutional investors by managing diverse investment portfolios across multiple sectors and geographies. Among its notable transactions, EQT acquired Unilode Aviation Solutions, which plays a crucial role in the aviation sector, and Classic Fine Foods, a significant player in the food supply chain. These investments highlight EQT's strategic interest in industries that intersect with airline operations and food services, making them a versatile investor in the airline food catering context.


6. Naxicap Partners

  • Website: naxicap.fr
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn: naxicap-partners

Naxicap Partners is a private equity investment firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2005. The firm specializes in private equity and growth capital investments, focusing on mid-cap and small-cap companies across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and real estate. Naxicap Partners aims to provide financial resources and strategic support to help businesses scale and enhance their market presence. Notably, they have been involved in transactions such as the investment in Newrest, a company known for its operations in airline food catering, which highlights their engagement in this specific sector. Other transactions include investments in companies like Pierre SCHMIDT Charcutier-Traiteur and Groupe Bertrand, which, while not directly related to airline catering, showcase their active role in the food and hospitality industry.


7. Bunzl UK and Ireland

  • Website: bunzl.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1854
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: bunzl

Bunzl UK and Ireland is a corporate investor based in London, England, and is part of Bunzl Public Limited Company, a distribution and outsourcing firm founded in 1854. The company specializes in providing essential items necessary for businesses to operate across various industries. In 2024, Bunzl made significant strides in the catering equipment market by acquiring C&C Group, which includes C&C Catering Equipment Ltd, enhancing its Catering and Hospitality Division's market position. Additionally, Bunzl previously acquired Aggora Group in January 2018, a company specializing in commercial catering equipment, which reported a revenue of £27 million for the year ending March 2017. These transactions highlight Bunzl's commitment to catering solutions, making it a relevant player in the airline food catering industry.


8. Accor

  • Website: group.accor.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Issy-Les-Moulineaux, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1967
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn: accor

Accor is a prominent hospitality group founded in 1967, headquartered in Issy-Les-Moulineaux, Île-De-France, France. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, Accor operates a diverse portfolio of hotel brands and services, catering to both leisure and business travelers. Recently, Accor has been actively expanding its footprint in the catering industry, notably through its exclusive negotiations to fully acquire Potel et Chabot, a luxury catering company expected to generate approximately €130 million in revenue in 2023. This acquisition, along with previous discussions regarding Potel & Chabot, highlights Accor's commitment to enhancing its catering capabilities, which could potentially include airline food services. Accor's strategic focus on delivering quality service and innovative solutions positions it as a significant player in the hospitality and catering sectors.


9. Permira

  • Website: permira.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1985
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: permira

Permira is a London-based private equity investment firm founded in 1985, specializing in private equity and credit solutions. The firm partners with management teams and entrepreneurs to drive growth and create long-term value across various sectors, including technology, consumer, healthcare, and services. Notably, Permira has made strategic investments in the aviation and food sectors, such as the acquisition of Topcast Aviation Supplies, the largest independent aircraft parts distributor in the Asia Pacific region, which highlights its engagement in the aviation industry. Additionally, Permira's acquisition of Hana Group, which operates Asian cuisine counters, showcases its interest in food services, potentially linking it to airline catering. These transactions reflect Permira's strategy to transform businesses into market leaders and its capability to invest in sectors that intersect with airline food catering.


10. Eurazeo

  • Website: eurazeo.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1969
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 40
  • LinkedIn: eurazeo

Eurazeo is an investment management firm based in Paris, specializing in private equity, private debt, and real assets. Founded in 1969, the firm has established a significant presence in the investment management landscape, focusing on growth and expansion across various sectors, including technology and healthcare. Notably, Eurazeo has participated in several transactions relevant to the catering industry, such as the seed funding round for Pyxo, which raised €7M to develop reusable food containers for the catering and hospitality sector. This involvement highlights Eurazeo's interest in sustainable solutions within the food service industry, which is pertinent to airline catering operations. Other transactions, while not directly related to airline catering, demonstrate Eurazeo's active investment strategy across diverse sectors.


11. 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 investment strategies and commitment to sustainability. Among their notable transactions, Partners Group acquired Hofmann Menu Manufaktur in December 2013, a key player in providing customized 'cook & freeze' products, which are relevant to the airline catering industry. Additionally, their acquisition of Vermaat Groep in December 2015, a company involved in food and beverage services, further highlights their engagement in sectors that intersect with airline catering. These investments demonstrate Partners Group's capability and interest in the food service domain, making them a relevant investor in the airline food catering space.


12. gategroup

  • Website: gategroup.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Opfikon, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2008
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn: gategroup

gategroup is a corporate investor based in Opfikon, Zurich, Switzerland, specializing in catering and hospitality services for the travel industry. Founded in 2008, gategroup has established itself as a key player in airline catering, onboard retail, and food logistics solutions aimed at enhancing passenger experiences. The company has made significant investments in the airline food catering sector, including the acquisition of a 74% stake in Skygourmet in 2010, which marked a major expansion in their catering operations. In December 2019, gategroup acquired the European operations of LSG Group from Lufthansa Group, representing about one third of LSG Group's total business, further solidifying their presence in the airline catering market. Additionally, in July 2020, gategroup agreed to acquire Q Catering operations in Australia from Qantas Catering Group, which is expected to enhance their business in the region. These strategic acquisitions highlight gategroup's commitment to the airline food catering industry and its growth potential.


13. Tikehau Capital


Tikehau Capital is an investment management firm based in Paris, specializing in alternative asset management. Founded in 2004, the firm offers a range of services including private debt, private equity, real assets, and capital markets strategies. Tikehau Capital serves a diverse clientele, including institutional and private investors, as well as SMEs seeking tailored financing solutions to support growth and sustainability initiatives. Among their notable transactions, Tikehau has been involved in the acquisition negotiations for Sabena Technics, a company focused on aeronautical maintenance, which could relate to the airline industry. Additionally, they have invested in Labeyrie Fine Foods, a company that operates in the food sector, which may include catering services. These transactions highlight Tikehau's strategic interest in sectors that are relevant to airline food catering, even if they do not exclusively focus on this niche.



Airline Food Catering Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Bpifrance French Tech AccélérationParis, Île-De-France, France1-102015198
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516
LdcLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200198115
BgfLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200201153
EQT GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000199430
Naxicap PartnersParis, Île-De-France, France51-20020050
Bunzl UK and IrelandLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)1001-500018545
AccorIssy-Les-Moulineaux, Île-De-France, France10001+19670
PermiraLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)501-100019858
EurazeoParis, Île-De-France, France201-500196940
Partners GroupBaar, Zug, Switzerland1001-5000199619
gategroupOpfikon, Zurich, Switzerland10001+20080
Tikehau CapitalParis, Île-De-France, France501-100020046


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