Resto Group

What Resto Group does

Resto Group is a private food-and-beverage franchise operator founded in 2016 and headquartered in Libreville, Gabon, with a regional headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon. The company acquires exclusive franchise rights for internationally recognized restaurant brands and operates company-owned branches in markets across sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. Its current portfolio comprises seven concepts: PAUL (French bakery and pastry, since 2016), KFC (fried chicken, since 2019), Pizza Hut, Pinkberry, its own house-developed Sushi Bar concept (the latter three launched in 2020-2021), and TGI Fridays (added in 2023 in Lebanon). Operations span five countries — Gabon, Lebanon, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Angola — with more than 25 branches and a logistics backbone in Gabon consisting of a warehouse, central kitchen, and distribution center.

The company generates revenue through same-store restaurant sales across its multi-brand footprint — that is, direct consumer transactions at branded restaurants under franchise license agreements (e.g., 5 KFC locations in Gabon, 8 Pizza Hut locations across Lebanon, 3 Pizza Hut in Gabon, 2 in Ivory Coast, plus PAUL, Pinkberry, Sushi Bar, and TGI Friday's units). Go-to-market is exclusively via the franchise/licensed-operator model: Resto Group does not develop franchised systems of its own brands (with the partial exception of Sushi Bar) but signs territorial master franchise agreements with global brand owners and executes unit openings and operations locally. Pricing follows each franchisor's standardized menu and pricing architecture. Customers are individual end-consumers in the served geographies, a B2C, walk-in/takeaway/delivery base rather than enterprise accounts; Resto Group itself sits beneath the parent Cedicom corporate structure.

The technology stack is non-software: Resto Group is classified as "not applicable" on core technology, with no proprietary platforms, no apps, no APIs, no AI capabilities, and no patents or trademarks beyond restaurant operating brands. The company's principal points of differentiation are (i) territorial exclusivity for six major international brands across underserved African and Middle Eastern markets, (ii) a centralized logistics infrastructure that allows multi-brand back-office sharing, and (iii) demonstrated multi-year execution in markets where international brand entry is operationally and politically non-trivial. No revenue figures, funding rounds, or unit-economics data are publicly disclosed, which is a material information gap for prospective investors.

Name

Resto Group

Legal name

Resto Group

Website

https://resto-group.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Resto Group is a private food-and-beverage franchise operator, founded in 2016 and headquartered in Libreville, Gabon, that acquires exclusive territorial franchise rights for international restaurant brands and operates more than 25 branches across Gabon, Lebanon, Ivory Coast, DRC, and Angola.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Restaurant Operations and Franchise Management

NAICS

Restaurants and Other Eating Places (72251)

SIC

Retail-Eating Places (5812)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Concept / Global QSR Chains (Mixed Menus) (THAFAAAO)

Keywords

• Franchise restaurant operator
• International food brands
• Casual dining operations
• Quick service restaurants
• Bakery and cafe

Headquarters

HQ city

Libreville

HQ country

Gabon

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Restaurant Sales: Revenue generated from operating company-owned restaurants across multiple international franchise brands including KFC, Pizza Hut, PAUL, Pinkberry, Sushi Bar, and TGI Fridays. The company operates physical restaurant locations serving food and beverages to consumers.

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Resto Group acquires franchise rights for international restaurant brands and operates company-owned branches across African and Middle Eastern markets. The portfolio includes PAUL (bakery and pastry), PAUL Le Cafe, Pizza Hut, KFC, Pinkberry, Sushi Bar (a house-owned Japanese concept), and TGI Fridays. The company also runs centralized logistics including a warehouse, central kitchen, and distribution center to support its restaurant operations.

Product overview

Resto Group is a food and beverages franchise operator that brings international restaurant brands and dining concepts to African and Middle Eastern markets. The company operates a portfolio of 7 distinct brands: PAUL (French bakery/pastry), PAUL Le Cafe (coffee shop), Pizza Hut (pizza), KFC (fried chicken), Sushi Bar (house-owned Japanese concept), Pinkberry (frozen yogurt), and TGI Friday's (American casual dining). Operations span 5 countries (Gabon, Lebanon, Ivory Coast, DRC Kinshasa, Angola) with more than 25 branches. The company also operates centralized logistics including a warehouse, central kitchen, and distribution center in Gabon.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PAUL Bakery & Pastry: French bakery and pastry chain originating from Croix, France in 1889, featuring artisanal bread, pastries, and cafe offerings.
• PAUL Cafe
• Sushi Bar
• Resto Group Food Safety Policy

Products and services

• PAUL French bakery and pastry chain founded in 1889 in Croix, France, offering artisanal bread, pastries, gourmet treats, sandwiches, salads, and hot/cold beverages. Resto Group holds franchise rights for PAUL in Gabon and DRC Kinshasa.
• PAUL Le Cafe French-style coffee shop concept offering an expanded selection of drinks accompanied by Viennoiserie, patisserie, and macarons. Positioned as 'the art of coffee à la française.'
• Pizza Hut Iconic international pizza chain operated by Resto Group under franchise rights in Gabon (3 branches), Lebanon (8 branches), and Ivory Coast Abidjan (2 branches), following Pizza Hut's standardized recipes and preparation procedures.
• KFC World-famous fried chicken quick service restaurant chain. Resto Group operates KFC franchise locations in Gabon, serving KFC's signature fried chicken with the brand's secret blend of herbs and spices.
• Sushi Bar House-owned Japanese cuisine restaurant concept offering fresh sushi, bold flavors, and unique combinations in a vibrant, trendy setting with a youthful personality. Operated by Resto Group with branches in Libreville, Gabon.
• Pinkberry International frozen yogurt chain operated by Resto Group in Gabon, offering a variety of frozen yogurt flavors with an array of toppings for personalization.
• TGI Fridays Globally renowned American casual dining restaurant chain dating back to 1965. Resto Group acquired franchise rights for TGI Fridays in Lebanon, with plans to open a restaurant in Beirut offering classic American flavors and a fun dining experience.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered parent company, flagship and core.

• Cedicom Groupparent companyOthersResto Group is part of the Cedicom family, a parent company providing corporate structure and support for Resto Group's franchise operations across Africa and Middle East.
• PAUL (Bakery & Pastry)flagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerPAUL is a renowned French bakery and cafe chain founded in 1889 in Croix, France. Resto Group acquired franchise rights for PAUL in Gabon in 2016 and later expanded to DRC Kinshasa. The brand offers artisanal bread, pastries, sandwiches, salads, and beverages.
• KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerResto Group achieved a major milestone in 2019 by securing KFC franchise rights in Gabon. The company operates multiple KFC branches including one near Libreville airport, serving KFC's signature fried chicken with the secret blend of herbs and spices.
• Pizza HutcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerResto Group expanded its portfolio in 2021 with Pizza Hut in Gabon, then further expanded in 2022 to Lebanon and Ivory Coast (Abidjan). The company operates 8 branches across these regions with plans for continued expansion.
• PinkberrycoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerResto Group is passionate franchisee of Pinkberry in Gabon, dedicated to bringing the finest frozen yogurt experience with various delicious flavors and an array of toppings. Currently operates 1 branch in Gabon.
• TGI FridaysflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerIn 2023, Resto Group acquired the rights to bring the renowned TGI Fridays to Lebanon. The globally renowned restaurant chain dates back to 1965. The company is preparing to open its first TGI restaurant in Beirut, Lebanon.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Simbisa Brands: Pan-African QSR restaurant operator (Pizza Inn, Chicken Inn, etc.) with thousands of outlets across sub-Saharan Africa. Most directly comparable geographic peer — multi-brand restaurant operator in African emerging markets.
• Americana Group: One of the largest MENA-based multi-brand restaurant operators (KFC, Pizza Hut, Hardee's). Highly comparable to Resto Group as a franchisee of the same brands across multiple emerging markets with diversified dining concepts.
• Kout Food Group: Kuwait-based multi-brand QSR operator holding franchise rights for KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and others across the Middle East. Directly comparable as an emerging-markets franchise aggregator.
• Devyani International: India-listed operator of KFC and Pizza Hut franchises in South Asia. Closely comparable model: multi-brand Yum! franchisee scaling rapidly in a high-population emerging market.
• Jubilant FoodWorks: Master franchisee for Domino's Pizza and other QSR brands in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Comparable multi-brand emerging-markets franchise operator with country-expansion playbook.
• QSR Brands (M) Holdings: Malaysian master franchisee for KFC and Pizza Hut with regional operations. Comparable as a multi-brand QSR franchisee with central kitchen/distribution infrastructure.
• Berjaya Food Berhad: Malaysia-listed operator of Starbucks, Kenny Rogers Roasters, and other brands across SE Asia. Comparable multi-brand franchise aggregator model with shared logistics and multi-country footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Alsea SAB de CV: Latin America's largest multi-brand QSR franchise operator (Domino's, Starbucks, Burger King, Chili's). Comparable business model but at significantly greater scale across multiple Latin American markets.
• Yum China Holdings: Operates KFC and Pizza Hut in China at massive scale. Comparable franchise/operating relationship with the same brands Resto Group holds rights to, though at vastly different scale and geography.

Emerging players

• Famous Brands Limited: South African multi-brand restaurant franchisor and operator (Steers, Wimpy, Mugg & Bean). Adjacent peer as a multi-brand African food services group with a franchise-heavy model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/restogroup

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Resto Group