Gail's investor McWin acquires majority stake in Big Mamma

The long-term investment made out of the McWin Restaurant Fund values Big Mamma at €270m and will see the group continue to expand in Europe, as well as look towards new locations such as the Middle East and the US.

Tigrane Seydoux and Victor Lugger, who launched Big Mamma in Paris back in 2013, will continue to run the company as co-CEOs and remain key shareholders of the company.

“It is with great excitement that we join forces with the McWin team,” says Seydoux.

“We are delighted to have a partner who shares our vision of running a responsible hospitality adventure with a collective approach, uncompromising quality, and a strong passion for respecting culture, products and Italy.

“It's the starting point for new dreams and challenges, in line with our desire to constantly elevate with even more exceptional and experiential restaurants.”

Big Mamma arrived in the UK back in 2019 with the launch of Gloria in London’s Shoreditch. It has since opened a further four sites in the capital including Ave Mario in Covent Garden, Circolo Popolare in Fitzrovia, and Jacuzzi in Kensington.

In total, the B Corp-labelled group, which is recognised for its lively and often ostentatious trattoria-style restaurants, has 23 sites across five countries in Europe including France, the UK, Monaco, Spain and Germany. It employs 2,400 staff and claims to serve more than 15,000 guests per day.

The Big Mamma team says it will leverage the partnership with McWin to ‘become a world leading brand in affordable experiential luxury’.

McWin’s is led by co-founding partners Henry McGovern and Steven Winegar. It’s other foodservice investments include hospitality incubator White Rabbit Projects in the UK; and  German restaurant brand L’Osteria.

“I have seen a lot of change and innovation in this industry over the last three decades, and I truly believe that Tigrane and Victor are visionaries,” says McGovern, commenting on the firm’s latest acquisition.

“They have pioneered a new type of restaurant experience, providing customers with a truly unique and memorable visit at every site.

“We are delighted to join the Big Mamma family on its next stage of growth.”

The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2023.