NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

21 December 2023

RECOMMENDED CASH ACQUISITION

OF

THE RESTAURANT GROUP PLC ("TRG")

BY

ROCK BIDCO LIMITED ("BIDCO")

(a special purpose vehicle indirectly owned by the Apollo Funds, managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, Inc.)

Scheme of Arrangement becomes Effective

On 12 October 2023, the boards of TRG and Bidco announced that they had reached agreement on the terms and conditions of a recommended cash acquisition by Bidco of the entire issued, and to be issued, ordinary share capital of TRG ("Acquisition"), to be effected by way of a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act (the "Scheme").  

The circular in relation to the Scheme, including full details of the Acquisition was published on 2 November 2023 (the "Scheme Document"). Capitalised terms used in this announcement shall, unless otherwise defined, have the same meanings as set out in the Scheme Document. References to times in this announcement are to London time unless otherwise stated.

On 27 November 2023, the requisite majority of Scheme Shareholders voted to approve the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the requisite majority of TRG Shareholders voted to pass the Special Resolution to implement the Scheme, including the amendment of TRG's articles of association, at the General Meeting.

Yesterday, TRG announced that the Court of Session in Edinburgh had sanctioned the Scheme at the Sanction Hearing held yesterday.

TRG is pleased to announce that, following delivery of a copy of the Court Order to the Registrar of Companies, the Scheme has today become effective in accordance with its terms and, pursuant to the Scheme, the entire issued and to be issued share capital of TRG is now owned by Bidco.

Suspension and cancellation of admission listing and trading of TRG Shares

The admission of the TRG Shares to the premium listing segment of the Financial Conduct Authority's Official List (the "Official List") and the admission of the TRG Shares to trading on the London Stock Exchange plc's main market for listed securities (the "Main Market") were suspended with effect from 7:30 a.m. this morning.

Applications have been made to the Financial Conduct Authority and the London Stock Exchange for the cancellation of the admission of the TRG Shares to listing on the premium listing segment of the Official List and to trading on the Main Market, which are expected to take effect by 8:00 a.m. on 22 December 2023.

Consideration and settlement

In accordance with the terms of the Acquisition, a Scheme Shareholder on the register of members of TRG at the Scheme Record Time, being 6.00 p.m. on 20 December 2022, will be entitled to receive 65 pence in cash for each Scheme Share held. As set out in the Scheme Document, settlement of the consideration to which any Scheme Shareholder is entitled will be effected by way of the despatch of cheques or the crediting of CREST accounts (for Scheme Shareholders holding Scheme Shares in certificated form and in uncertificated form respectively) as soon as practicable and in any event not later than 14 days after the Effective Date.

Board changes

As the Scheme has now become effective, TRG duly announces that, as of today's date, 21 December 2023: Ken Hanna, Graham Clemett, Zoe Morgan, Loraine Woodhouse and Helen Keays have tendered their resignations and have stepped down from the TRG Board; and Alex van Hoek and Eugenia Gandoy have been appointed to the TRG Board. Andy Hornby and Mark Chambers will remain as TRG directors, as CEO and CFO respectively.

Enquiries:

Kirkland & Ellis International LLP is acting as legal adviser to Apollo and Bidco.

Slaughter and May is acting as legal adviser to TRG.

Important notices

Lazard & Co., Limited, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"), is acting exclusively as lead financial adviser and Rule 3 adviser to TRG and no one else in connection with the matters described in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than TRG for providing the protections afforded to clients of Lazard nor for providing advice in relation to the contents of this announcement or any other matter or arrangement referred to herein. Neither Lazard nor any of its affiliates (nor their respective directors, officers, employees or agents) owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Lazard in connection with this announcement, any matter, arrangement or statement contained or referred to herein or otherwise.

Centerview Partners UK LLP, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA, is acting exclusively as financial adviser to TRG and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than TRG for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the matters set out in this announcement, the contents of this announcement or any other matters referred to in this announcement. Neither Centerview nor any of its affiliates, nor any of Centerview's and such affiliates' respective members, directors, officers, controlling persons or employees owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, consequential, whether in contract, in tort, in delict, under statute  or  otherwise)  to  any  person  who  is  not  a  client  of  Centerview  in  connection  with  this announcement, any statement contained herein or otherwise.

Citigroup Global Markets Limited, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority ("PRA") and regulated in the UK by the FCA and the PRA is acting exclusively as Financial Adviser and Joint Corporate Broker to TRG and for no one else in connection with the matters described in this announcement, and will not be responsible to anyone other than TRG for providing the protections afforded to its clients nor for providing advice in relation to the matters referred to in this announcement. Neither Citi nor any of its affiliates, directors or employees owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, consequential, whether in contract, tort, in delict, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Citi in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein, or otherwise.

Investec Bank plc, which is authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and PRA, is acting for TRG and no one else in connection with the matters described in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than TRG for providing the protections afforded to clients of Investec Bank plc nor for giving advice in relation to the matters described in this announcement. Further, Investec Bank plc accepts no responsibility whatsoever and makes no representations or warranty, express or implied, for or in respect of the contents of this announcement, including its accuracy, completeness or verification or for any other statement made or purported to be made by it, or on its behalf, in connection with the matters described in this announcement, and nothing in this announcement is, or shall be relied upon as, a promise or representation in this respect, whether as to the past or future. Investec Bank plc and its affiliates accordingly disclaim, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all and any responsibility and liability whatsoever arising in tort or otherwise as related to above, which it might otherwise have in respect of this announcement or any such statement.

Further information

This announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute, or form any part of, an offer to sell or subscribe for or any invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Acquisition or otherwise. The Acquisition will be implemented solely through the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, the offer document).

The statements contained in this announcement are made as at the date of this announcement, unless some other time is specified in relation to them, and service of this announcement shall not give rise to any implication that there has been no change in the facts set forth in this announcement since such date.

This announcement does not constitute a prospectus, prospectus equivalent or an exempted document.

This announcement contains inside information in relation to TRG for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation. The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of TRG is Andrew Eames (General Counsel & Company Secretary). TRG's Legal Entity Identifier is 213800V4LJ2FXMQKKA46.

Overseas shareholders

The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in or into jurisdictions other than the UK may be restricted by law and therefore any persons who are subject to the law of any jurisdiction other than the UK should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements. Any failure to comply with such requirements may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies and persons involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions by any person. This announcement has been prepared in accordance with and for the purpose of complying with English and Scots law, the Takeover Code, the Market Abuse Regulation, the Listing Rules and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules and information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside of the UK.

The availability of the Acquisition to TRG Shareholders who are not resident in and citizens of the UK may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located or of which they are citizens. Persons who are not resident in the UK should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements of their jurisdictions. Any failure to comply with the applicable restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies and persons involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions by any person.

Copies of this announcement and any formal documentation relating to the Acquisition are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction and persons receiving such documents (including, without limitation, agents, custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send it in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction.

Additional information for US investors

The Acquisition relates to the shares of a Scottish company and is being made by means of a scheme of arrangement provided for under Scots law. A transaction effected by means of a scheme of arrangement is not subject to the tender offer or proxy solicitation rules under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "U.S. Exchange Act"). Accordingly, the Acquisition is subject to the disclosure requirements and practices applicable in the UK to schemes of arrangement which differ from the disclosure requirements of the U.S. tender offer and proxy solicitation rules. The financial information included in this announcement has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the United Kingdom and thus may not be comparable to financial information of U.S. companies or companies whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

It may be difficult for U.S. holders of TRG Shares to enforce their rights and any claim arising out of the U.S. federal laws, since Bidco and TRG are located in a non-U.S. jurisdiction, and some or all of their officers and directors may be residents of a non-U.S. jurisdiction. U.S. holders of TRG Shares may not be able to sue a non-U.S. company or its officers or directors in a non-U.S. court for violations of the U.S. securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel a non-U.S. company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court's judgement.

In accordance with normal UK practice and pursuant to Rule 14e-5(b) of the U.S. Exchange Act, Apollo, its nominees, or their brokers (acting as agents), may from time to time make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, TRG Shares outside of the U.S., other than pursuant to the Acquisition, until the date on which the Acquisition becomes Effective, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn. Also, in accordance with Rule 14e-5(b) of the U.S. Exchange Act, RBC will continue to act as an exempt principal trader in TRG shares on the London Stock Exchange. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Any information about such purchases will be disclosed as required in the United Kingdom, will be reported to a Regulatory Information Service and will be available on the London Stock Exchange website, www.londonstockexchange.com/.

U.S. TRG Shareholders also should be aware that the transaction contemplated herein may have tax consequences in the U.S. and, that such consequences, if any, are not described herein. U.S. TRG Shareholders are urged to consult with legal, tax and financial advisers in connection with making a decision regarding this transaction.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking statements

This announcement (including information incorporated by reference in this announcement), oral statements made regarding the Acquisition, and other information published by Bidco and TRG contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of the management of Bidco and TRG about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements contained in this announcement include statements relating to the expected effects of the Acquisition on Bidco and TRG (including their future prospects, developments and strategies), the expected timing and scope of the Acquisition and other statements other than historical facts. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "prepares", "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "is subject to", "budget", "projects", "synergy", "strategy", "scheduled", "goal", "estimates", "forecasts", "cost-saving", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward looking statements may include statements relating to the following: (i) future capital expenditures, expenses, revenues, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, dividend policy, losses and future prospects; (ii) business and management strategies and the expansion and growth of Bidco's, TRG's, any member of the Bidco Group's or any member of the TRG Group's operations and potential synergies resulting from the Acquisition; and (iii) the effects of global economic conditions and governmental regulation on Bidco's, TRG's, any member of the Bidco Group's or any member of the TRG Group's business.

Although Bidco and TRG believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, Bidco and TRG can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

These factors include, but are not limited to: the ability to complete the Acquisition; the ability to obtain requisite regulatory and shareholder approvals and the satisfaction of other Conditions on the proposed terms and schedule; changes in the global political, economic, business and competitive environments and in market and regulatory forces; changes in future exchange and interest rates; changes in tax rates; future business combinations or disposals; changes in general economic and business conditions; changes in the behaviour of other market participants; and changes in the anticipated benefits from the proposed transaction not being realised as a result of: changes in general economic and market conditions in the countries in which Bidco and TRG operate, weak, volatile or illiquid capital and/or credit markets, changes in tax rates, interest rate and currency value fluctuations, the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which Bidco and TRG operate and changes in laws or in supervisory expectations or requirements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected, estimated or projected in the forward-looking statements. If any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialises or if any one or more of the assumptions proves incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Such forward-looking statements should therefore be construed in the light of such factors. Neither Bidco nor TRG, nor any of their respective associates or directors, officers or advisers, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this announcement will actually occur. You are cautioned not to place any reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Specifically, statements of estimated cost savings and synergies related to future actions and circumstances which, by their nature, involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies. As a result, the cost savings and synergies referred to may not be achieved, may be achieved later or sooner than estimated, or those achieved could be materially different from those estimated. Due to the scale of the TRG Group, there may be additional changes to the TRG Group's operations. As a result, and given the fact that the changes relate to the future, the resulting cost synergies may be materially greater or less than those estimated.

Other than in accordance with their legal or regulatory obligations, neither Bidco nor TRG is under any obligation, and Bidco and TRG expressly disclaim any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

No profit forecasts or estimates

No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit forecast, profit estimate or quantified benefits statement for any period and no statement in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings or earnings per share for TRG for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings or earnings per share for TRG.

Publication of this announcement on website

In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Takeover Code, a copy of this announcement and the documents required to be published under Rule 26 of the Takeover Code will be made available, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, on TRG's website at https://www.trgplc.com/investors/ by no later than 12 noon (London time) on the Business Day following this announcement. For the avoidance of doubt, neither the content of these websites nor of any website accessible from hyperlinks is incorporated by reference or forms part of this announcement.

Right to receive documents in hard copy form

In accordance with Rule 30.3 of the Takeover Code, TRG Shareholders, persons with information rights and participants in TRG Share Plans may request a hard copy of this announcement by: (i) telephoning Equiniti on +44 (0) 371 384 2426. If calling from outside of the UK, please ensure the country code is used. Lines will be open from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays in England and Wales); or (ii) submitting a request in writing to Equiniti Limited, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN99 6DA, United Kingdom. For persons who receive a copy of this announcement in electronic form or via a website notification, a hard copy of this announcement will not be sent unless so requested. Such persons may also request that all future documents, announcements and information to be sent to you in relation to the Acquisition should be in hard copy form.