Kofola buys majority of Czech restaurant chain with 43 outlets
What's the deal? Kofola CeskoSlovenskoDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, the Ostrava-based beverage group, is acquiring a 51% stake in Chachar cateringDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, which operates dozens of Czech restaurants under the Chacharova Hasičárna and Chacharova pizza brands. Neither side disclosed the price.
Who's involved? Chachar catering runs 43 restaurants in Czechia, mostly as franchises, and is one of Kofola's largest customers, buying its full drinks portfolio. Founders Pavel Holšán and Lumír Bednář will stay in charge of daily operations.
What's the endgame? Kofola says it wants to preserve and grow traditional Czech pub culture. "We see that classic Czech pubs in villages and smaller towns are disappearing, and yet they are key places for developing community and relationships," said board member René Musila (translated from Czech). Kofola will provide financing, accounting and process support, and help with planned expansion into more regions.
Why now? The deal continues a buying streak. In August, Kofola announced it was taking a 52% stake in Czech café chain CøkafeDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, extending its push beyond drinks into hospitality.
The numbers: Kofola is one of Central Europe's largest non-alcoholic drinks makers, with brands including Vinea, Rajec, Korunní, Ondrášovka, and Semtex, plus the UGO juice business, tea maker LerosDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and Pivovary ZubrDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → breweries. Last year the group posted revenue of CZK 10.75 billion and EBITDA of CZK 1.79 billion, employing over 4,000 people.
What changes for customers? Nothing, for now. Kofola says nothing changes for Chachar catering's customers, franchisees, or suppliers, with the founders retaining control.
The signal: A beverage supplier buying into its own customers signals vertical integration — securing distribution while betting that reviving small-town pubs is a "financially viable model," in Musila's words. It positions Kofola less as a pure drinks maker and more as an owner of the venues that sell them.
Read more: e15.cz
Image credit: winecountrymedia
