Caffè Nero: From first cup to lasting partnership

Our relationship with Caffè Nero spans multiple service lines and two decades, during which time we have been privileged to support the group on many of its most critical and strategically significant business matters.

Our Employment Partner Michael Powner first struck up a working relationship with the company in 2004 after inviting its Head of HR to a seminar. We have since then been delighted to work with the senior team, including, Glyn House, Managing Director and CFO Ben Price, supporting them to grow the family-owned business into Europe's largest independent coffee house group and one of the world’s leaders in the premium coffee market.

Initially our early work for the group centred on employment advice but thanks to the positive relationships with Glyn, Ben and the senior team, that has since expanded to commercial, dispute resolution and other corporate matters, including data protection, health and safety, and M&A.

Our employment advice to the group includes day-to-day labour issues, contract updating, counsel on new legislation and advising on internship arrangements.

After the Covid-19 pandemic, we supported parent company, The Nero Group, with its refinancing package, which sought to strengthen the company’s balance sheet, providing it with additional funds to support ambitious growth plans.

Following the successful completion of this transaction, at the end of 2024, our Corporate team was instructed to advise the group on corporate M&A advice. Caffè Nero welcomed Nottingham-based 200 Degrees and London-based FCB Coffee to its portfolio, helping the brand bolster its presence in the Midlands and commuter hubs across the UK.

While we have been working with the business, it has made other important milestones including the launch of its Teya Rewards App, opening its first drive-thru store and launching a ‘Coffee Winehouse Experience’ in collaboration with Alileo Wines.

More recently, we have started working with Caffè Nero on the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which will require companies to prove that their products sold in or exported from the EU are legally compliant.

Alongside its UK operations, Caffè Nero is present across Europe, the Middle East and the US, and we will continue to support the group across its business lines as it pursues further growth opportunities both in its domestic market and internationally. Michael says: “We are in the major hubs of the world and are well aligned to support the team as they continue on this exciting journey.”

"It was a pleasure to work with the Charles Russell Speechlys team on the acquisition as they really understand our business and have been great in supporting our growth strategy."

Ben Price, CFO, 200 Degrees

"ESG – particularly the ‘E’ and the new European regulations are big areas that we are focused in on to make sure the Caffè Nero team is briefed and ready for action this year – and beyond.”

Michael Powner, Partner