Lawyers from the Bristol office of transatlantic firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) have advised on another major deal in the hospitality sector for long-standing private equity client Piper.
It advised Piper on the sale of BBQ smokehouse restaurant group Hickory’s to national pub retailer and brewer Greene King, which plans to expand the brand across the UK. 
Founded in 2010 by Neil McDonnell, Hickory’s grew its brand from its heartland in Cheshire, the Wirral and North Wales to 17 restaurants across the Midlands and North West.
The family-friendly smokehouse and BBQ restaurant business has a strong focus on food quality with meats slow-cooked for up to 12 hours on smokers specially imported from Memphis.
Customers are offered unique dining experiences, such as chef’s bars, dining verandas, cinemas and children’s play areas.
As part of Greene King, the business will continue to be run by its highly experienced and proven management team, led managing director by John Welsh, and will keep its head office in Chester.
Greene King plans to leverage its scale and expertise to accelerate the national roll out of the Hickory’s brand.
The Bristol WBD team advising Piper was led by managing associate Sammy Hill, associate Jo Norris, supported by partner Tom Fitzpatrick.
In 2014 the firm advised Piper on its £6m in investment in Hickory’s and has acted on many of its significant deals, including investments into – and subsequent exits from – Forthglade and Pet Food UK.
Sammy Hill said: “It has been a pleasure working once again with Piper and the Hickory’s team and we wish Hickory’s the best for the future as it embarks on its new growth journey with Greene King.”
Piper managing partner Peter Kemp-Welch added: “Hickory’s is a very special brand and we’re delighted to have played a part in its successful journey. Many thanks to Sammy, Jo and Tom and the whole WBD team who have been incredible throughout the process.”
Hickory’s founder Neil McDonnell said: “Throughout the whole process with Greene King, nothing was too much trouble at any hour of the day or night for the WBD team and the advice was always balanced and thought out.
“They made every partner, shareholder and professional feel involved in the deal, understood and listened to.
“Their dedication and flexibility 24 hours a day played a huge part in us hitting the deadlines set and getting the deal over the line on time.”
Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.
