Capdesia
Capdesia is an investment firm based in London and Brussels, focused on the branded consumer food service sector. We provide creative capital and unparalleled industry expertise to expansion-stage quick service, fast casual, and casual dining restaurant chains and related businesses across Europe, in support of acquisitions, development, international expansion, recapitalizations and other complex situations. We like purpose-driven brands with scalable, technology-enabled operational models, and look to invest €15-150 million over the life of an investment (typically 5-7 years). We can take minority and majority positions and can structure transactions with a mix of equity and debt, thereby providing a less dilutive funding solution than traditional buy-out firms. Changing demographics, busy lifestyles, globalization, technology and the COVID-19 pandemic are revolutionizing the restaurant industry, thereby creating a huge opportunity for a new generation of food service companies capable of offering tastier, healthier foods, fast speed of service, and convenience at affordable prices. Capdesia believes in investing responsibly and growing sustainable businesses with a purpose that goes beyond generating financial returns. We adhere to comprehensive ESG principles at all stages of our investment process and regard ESG not only as a significant part of every investment thesis, but also as a tangible source of value creation.

Purpose

Capdesia’s business model revolves around finding and supporting best-in-class operators with a view to helping them build exceptional businesses. To do so, we take an active involvement in our portfolio companies by providing management the tools to unlock tangible strategic, operational and financial levers of value creation. This may include brand building, unit development, new market entries, franchising, business process and supply chain optimisation and the use of technology.

As specialist investors, we seek to contribute to the positive impact that the food service industry can make on the environment, including in areas such as responsible procurement, sustainable packaging, waste reduction and energy efficiency. Given their labour-intensive model, food services companies also carry an enormous social responsibility. Capdesia is committed to ensure a work environment, for itself and its portfolio companies, that is safe, provides equal opportunity, treats people fairly and with dignity, and fosters individual development.

Niels Lorijn

Co-Founder & Managing Director, Capdesia

Find out more

We believe it is vital to state clearly to the world the set of our beliefs about Inclusive Capitalism. As such, we start with our Statement of Guiding Principles for Inclusive Capitalism. Knowing that words alone are not enough, each of us is making a series of commitments about how we will operate our institutions so that they help achieve Inclusive Capitalism. These commitments are forward-looking statements based on current goals, expectations and assumptions, which are not guarantees of future performance. For more information, please refer to our Terms of Use

Filter by commitments

View all
People icon People
Planet icon Planet
Principles of Governance icon Principles of Governance
Prosperity icon Prosperity

Summary

Capdesia will support its portfolio companies to achieve carbon net-zero by reducing energy, water, waste, and greenhouse gas emissions, with one example of replacing 80-100% of single-use plastic packaging within three years of investment.

Activities & Initiatives

Capdesia will develop supply chains for our portfolio companies that effectively process the recyclable and compostable waste identified in their retail stores and central production units, including packaging and food. We will reduce the adoption and environmental impact of non-recyclable waste used in the food service industry. We will better manage food wastage by improving food production processes and yields and by finding innovative usage for left-over items, and continue to support and work with the UKHospitality Trade Association in their commitment to the Zero Carbon Forum and the Courtauld 2025 agreements on food waste and GHG emissions. Capdesia will contribute to helping the UK meet its food waste target under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3 and a 20% cut in waste and in GHG emissions by 2025.

Measures & Targets

80-100% of single-use plastic packaging for own-brand products to be replaced by widely recyclable or home compostable materials within three years of Capdesia making an investment in a given company. By way of example, UK healthy grab-and-go chain Wasabi replaced 15 million plastic cutlery items and 9 million plastic bags used each year by recyclable products since Capdesia’s initial investment in 2019. We will target food waste (expressed as percentage of sales) of less than 1.5% across all Capdesia portfolio companies within the second year of making an investment.

SDG Focus Area(s):

Summary

Capdesia commits to effective governance at each of our portfolio companies by conducting bi-annual risk management matrix reviews and annual assessments of each member's governing body and their positive contribution towards ESG standards.

Activities & Initiatives

Capdesia will implement bi-annual risk management matrix reviews across all  portfolio companies including annual competence assessment of each member of governing bodies and their positive contribution made towards adhering to the strict ESG standards set across all our group companies. We will also prompt appropriate action in situations where ESG standards are breached.

Measures & Targets

Capdesia will implement bi-annual risk management matrix reviews across all  portfolio companies including annual competence assessment of each member of governing bodies and their positive contribution made towards adhering to the strict ESG standards set across all our group companies. We will also prompt appropriate action in situations where ESG standards are breached.

SDG Focus Area(s):

Summary

Capdesia is committed to a safe, healthy, equitable, and rewarding work environment by regularly reviewing internal and portfolio company HR performance for a "good" internal Net Promoter Score (NPS) with a three-year target of "excellent."

Activities & Initiatives

Capdesia will create and cultivate workplaces where everyone is equally supported and empowered to realise their full potential, and we recognise that developing respect and understanding across an entire organisation is an ongoing process that requires continuous effort and improvement. We will embrace diversity and guarantee equal opportunity, fair compensation, and a path for career development for everyone at Capdesia and each of our portfolio companies at all levels, regardless of race, gender, religion or belief.

Measures & Targets

Capdesia will introduce regular HR performance and satisfaction reviews across all Capdesia portfolio companies, based on inclusion, diversity and empowerment  with a requirement to always have a “good” internal Net Promoter Score (NPS) meaning >0 with a three year stretch target of “excellent” meaning >50% and closely monitoring of all HR related issues across all our group companies. We will prompt and appropriate action taken in situations where employees are at risk, abused, disrespected, discriminated against and/or treated unfairly. Capdesia will continuously assessment of HR policies and practices to ensure full transparency and effectiveness in supporting all current and future employees.

SDG Focus Area(s):

Summary

Capdesia commits to ensuring that 100% of its restaurant portfolio companies and their suppliers produce and/or deliver safe, high quality, nutritious, great tasting, and sustainable foods to their customers.

Activities & Initiatives

Assist our portfolio companies in adopting and developing best practices with regards to food safety; nutrition policies; removing colours, flavours, preservatives and select antibiotics; and fair and responsible food sourcing (including sustainable farming and animal welfare), distribution and logistics.

Measures & Targets

Capdesia will target 100% of restaurant investments in companies that produce and/or deliver safe, high quality, nutritious, great tasting, and sustainable foods. We will prioritise investments in restaurant companies that embrace authentic, healthy food, responsible sourcing and sustainability and continuously appraisal of advances in food innovation and sourcing, and active collaboration with industry, academia and regulatory agencies on enhancing food safety standards and practises globally. Capdesia will ensure regular restaurant inspections, food safety audits and any certification standards (such as Global Food Safety Initiative-GFSI) and supply chain assurance reviews to measure performance and ensure compliance with applicable H&S and procurement guidelines and ethical policies.

SDG Focus Area(s):

Join

Sign up your company

Recognizing it will take alignment of all our organizations to scale impact globally, we invite you to join the movement as a Steward of Inclusive Capitalism. Together, the collective action of Council members will contribute to a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable future for all people and our planet.