The deal adds 11 transport hub sites to The Nero Group’s UK footprint and comes hot on the heels of its 200 Degrees Coffee acquisition in October 2024
FCB currently operates 11 sites in travel hubs across London and the Southeast of the UK | Photo credit: FCB Coffee|Facebook
The Nero Group has made its second acquisition in two weeks with a deal to purchase London-based coffee chain FCB Coffee for an undisclosed sum.
Founded in 1998, FCB currently operates 11 railway station sites in London and the Southeast of the UK, including kiosks at Paddington, London Bridge and Brighton.
The acquisition means The Nero Group now has more than 50 stores at UK rail and underground stations.
“I’m very pleased to bring FCB into our group. Its stores offer commuters in transport locations very high-quality coffee. This is part of our strategy to provide customers with premium coffee no matter where they might be. As the coffee market develops, we continue to be focused on the premium, specialty coffee category,” said Gerry Ford, CEO, The Nero Group.
FCB Coffee Managing Director Barny Clevely left the business on 29 October 2024, according to a Companies House filing. The Nero Group executives James Stewart and Benedict Price were appointed Directors at FCB Coffee on 5 November 2024.
FCB Coffee is the sixth business in The Nero Group portfolio and second addition to the hospitality group within the last two weeks following the acquisition of Nottingham-based coffee roaster and café chain 200 Degrees Coffee in October 2024.
The Nero Group also comprises the Caffè Nero, Coffee#1 and Harris+Hoole coffee chains, as well as its wholesale division, Aroma.
London-based The Nero Group now operates over 790 stores in the UK – 625 of which are Caffè Nero outlets – and a further 300 Caffè Nero sites across nine international markets.