BRANDL TALOS advises Austrian family office in its investment in Popeyes UK

Press release • Corporate Law & Transactions from Roman Rericha, Markus Arzt, Adrian Zuschmann

Following its acquisition of the Burger King master franchise in Scandinavia, "Ring" International Holding AG has reached an agreement with PLK Europe GmbH an affiliate of Restaurant Brands International Inc. ("RBI"), to become the UK master franchisee of Popeyes® with exclusive rights to the brand in the UK.

Founded in New Orleans in Louisiana in 1972, Popeyes® is one of the fastest growing quick service restaurant systems in the US and a global player in the fried chicken market which currently boasts 3,300 restaurants across 30 countries. The transaction with Popeyes® will see the establishment of a new Popeyes® UK joint venture which will be controlled by Ring with Popeyes® retaining a minority stake. The new entity will enter into a 20-year master franchise agreement giving it the right to be the custodian of the Popeyes® brand in the UK, control over the brand’s proposition in the UK and the right to roll-out new stores across the country. The transaction will also see Ring supporting a highly experienced management buy-in team.

The BRANDL TALOS-team consisted of Roman Rericha, Markus Arzt, Christina Bernhart and Adrian Zuschmann. BRANDL TALOS was further supported by Sheridans (Howard Watt) as to UK law. RBI has been advised by Greenberg Traurig.

» This investment will significantly expand Ring's footprint in the global quick service restaurant industry. We are very pleased that Ring counted on our long-standing relationship and we, thus, have been able to support them on their exciting investment into the fantastic Popeyes® brand in UK, one of the largest quick service restaurant markets. «
Roman Rericha, Partner bei BRANDL TALOS
The team
Roman Rericha
Partner / Fund Formation, Venture Capital & Start Ups, Corporate Law & Transactions
Roman represents clients in complex cross-border M&A and private equity transactions. Austrian and international venture capital funds regularly turn to him for assisting with investments in Austria. His expert advice also guides start-ups through large-scale financing rounds.

University of Vienna, Faculty of Law (Mag. iur. 2005),
Faculty of Business, Economics and Statistics, (Mag. rer.soc.oec. 2007)
Markus Arzt
Partner / Fund Formation, Capital Markets, Venture Capital & Start Ups, Corporate Law & Transactions
In recent years, Markus has spearheaded various large international transactions and is a respected venture capital and private equity expert.

University of Vienna, Faculty of Law (Mag. iur. 2012)
Adrian Zuschmann
Partner / Corporate Law & Transactions, Venture Capital & Start Ups
Adrian specializes in corporate transactions, advising institutional and strategic investors, founders, and growth companies.
His practice centers on navigating clients through complex financing rounds, M&A and private equity transactions, portfolio investments, and exit strategies.

JUVE Verlag has recognized Adrian as a "rising star" in M&A for two consecutive years and included him in its inaugural "14 under 40" ranking for Austria.

Queen Mary University of London (MSc Law & Finance 2020)
University of Vienna, Faculty of Law (Magister iuris 2015)