The Karali group, a family-owned hospitality business, is acquiring 19 of the 28 outlets operated by The Real Greek, a Mediterranean restaurant chain. Nine locations will not be included in the takeover.
The acquisition represents a rescue of sorts for the chain, which operates casual Mediterranean dining across the UK. Karali's buyout preserves most of the brand's presence while allowing the group to expand its portfolio. The deal does not cover the full estate, suggesting either financial constraints or strategic decisions about which locations remain viable.
Cote Brasserie, also part of the acquisition discussion, operates within this same hospitality landscape. The specifics of how Cote factors into this transaction remain unclear from available details, but the broader pattern reflects consolidation in the casual dining sector, where family-owned groups acquire struggling chains to integrate them into existing operations or reposition them under new management.
The move follows broader challenges in UK hospitality, where rising costs and shifting consumer habits have pressured mid-market restaurant groups. Karali's willingness to take on 19 locations suggests confidence in the Mediterranean dining category or the opportunity to optimize The Real Greek's operations under new ownership.