News

PizzaExpress ponders rival bid for Ask Central pizza and pasta

January 8, 2004

LONDON—The owner of PizzaExpress is mulling a move to stop the takeover of the Ask Central pizza and pasta chain by City Centre Restaurants.

According to Ananova.com, TDR Capital, the private equity firm that bought PizzaExpress in 2003, is considering an offer for Ask Central above the £168 million (U.S. $308 million) offered in December by City Centre.

TDR paid £277.8 million (U.S. $509.4 million) for PizzaExpress. The group already owned the 400-store Nando's chicken chain.

A TDR spokesman didn't comment on how the two pizza companies would be merged should TDR win the possible takeover battle.

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