Sołtysiński Kawecki & Szlęzak advised the Mexican group Finaccess Capital in the takeover of control over AmRest Holdings SE (“AmRest”), a European Company listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
AmRest is the largest independent chain restaurant operator in Central and Eastern Europe. Since 1993, the Company has built a portfolio of well recognized, power brands such as KFC, Pizza Hut, Burger King and Starbucks, based on franchise and joint venture partnerships.
The market value of the transaction amounted to over PLN 1.5 billion.
Finaccess Capital successfully acquired over 6 million shares through a public tender offer for up to 66% of the shares in AmRest, in addition to a minority stake previously controlled by Finaccess, crossing the threshold of 60% of the shares in AmRest and becoming its controlling shareholder.
SK&S provided comprehensive advice on the transaction, including its corporate, regulatory, competition, and financing aspects. The transaction involved closely cooperating with foreign law firms advising Finaccess Capital, in particular in respect to the proper performance of regulatory duties related to the acquisition of significant blocks of shares from a listed company, as well as of competition (merger clearance) matters.
SK&S’ team advising Finaccess was led by Dr. Marcin Olechowski, the partner in charge of the firm’s banking and finance practice, and included Justyna Młodzianowska (of counsel), Witold Kurek (senior counsel) and Andrzej Motyka. Competition law issues were handled by Krzysztof Kanton, the partner in charge of the firm’s competition law practice, and Jarosław Łukawski, senior counsel in the competition law department.