Haché Eyes Strategic Sale as Consumer Confidence Wanes in the Dining Sector
Posted by Emma on 28th Oct 2024
Premium burger brand Haché, known for its blend of high-quality burgers with a Parisian-inspired brasserie touch, has appointed Interpath Advisory to assess potential sale options amid an accelerated auction process. Established in 2004 with its first outlet in Camden, Haché has grown to include four London locations, with a single site in Kingston operating as Haché Brasserie. This brasserie concept, known for its steak burgers and modern European-style dishes, reflects the brand’s evolving culinary approach.
The move to explore a sale highlights the increased competition and challenges within the casual dining sector. Haché’s founder, Jamie Barber, initially launched Haché as part of The Hush Collection, which includes the Brazilian-themed Cabana brand. The sale process follows the sale of two Haché locations in Clapham and Shoreditch last year, sparking external interest in the company’s remaining sites. Barber and business partner Ed Standring aim to assess several strategic options as they navigate a changing dining landscape.
The current market for premium burger chains remains intense. Rivals such as Byron and Gourmet Burger Kitchen have undergone financial restructuring in recent years, a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent shifts in consumer behaviour. These ongoing challenges and emerging concerns over consumer confidence and spending power have impacted the casual dining sector, making strategic evaluations like Haché’s more prevalent.
A spokesperson for Haché confirmed the brand’s intention to evaluate its future options, stating: “Following the sale of two of our sites last year, we have received considerable interest in our remaining sites, and as such, we have recently appointed advisors to help us explore our strategic options in relation to them.”
Haché’s current sales considerations come on the heels of recent expansions within The Hush Collection. Last year, Barber and Standring indicated an interest in broadening the Haché Brasserie concept following Kingston’s success, with ambitions for a similar model in Holborn. However, plans were soon altered as the Holborn site transformed into the Hush brand, a nod to the broader shifts in consumer dining preferences and brand positioning within the collection.
Beyond Haché, The Hush Collection’s ventures demonstrate the group’s ability to respond dynamically to market demands. The expansion of Cabana, alongside a significant financial positioning after clearing bank debt, highlights Barber’s strategy to explore new opportunities within the London dining scene.
The industry’s evolving dynamics will be crucial for Haché and its potential new ownership as they navigate this competitive market, balancing consumer expectations with a sustainable growth strategy.
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