QHotels was the highest placed hospitality company in the Sunday Times Deloitte Buyout Track 100, a league table of fastest-growing private-equity backed businesses.

The hotel group, which was set up in 1994 by the management team behind the Paramount Group of Hotels and is now majority backed by Alchemy Partners, was 27th in the pan-industry list, with annual profit growth during two years of almost 50% to £11.06m.

Café Rouge owner Tragus Holdings, which is backed by Blackstone, was 59th with profit growth during the two-year period of 32% to £22.4m.

Tragus chief executive Graham Turner said: “We are delighted to be recognised for our excellent performance, which is a reflection of the enduing popularity of our core brands.” 

Merlin Entertainments Group, which operates theme parks and is backed by Blackstone and Lego Kirkbi, was 61st with profit growth of 29.19% to £14.69m.

Hayley Conference Centres was at 73 in the list, noodle chain Wagamama came in at 77, while Town Centre Restaurants, backed by Gresham Private Equity and owner of the Café Giardino brand, was 79th. 

Blackstone deal shows the value of good management at Tragus >>

QHotels buys hotel group Marston for £180m >>

Town Centre Restaurants completes secondary buyout >>

Town Centre Restaurants website >>

By Chris Druce

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