The client engaged the firm in connection with an acquisition and follow up investment in a minority stake in the chain of restaurants and hotels operating under the “El Cielo” brand located in Colombia and the United States, managed and co-owned by Michelin star Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos and his family.
The engagement originated from the client’s strategic initiative to diversify his investment portfolio beyond the entertainment and media sectors, identifying the premium hospitality and gastronomy industry as a sector offering compelling returns. The “El Cielo” brand, which has garnered Michelin-star recognition and operates establishments in key markets including Colombia and various cities in the United States including Miami, Washington and New York, presented an attractive platform for capital deployment and long-term value creation.
The client sought to formalize his participation through a structured equity investment that would provide meaningful governance rights while preserving operational flexibility for the existing management team.
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