The administrators for Le Petit Blanc had received between 10 and 20 offers for the four-strong brasserie chain by last Thursday's deadline after more than 100 parties had expressed an interest. The bids covered both the complete chain and individual branches.
Raymond Blanc has indicated that he would like to retain his 50% share in the chain, which is a joint venture with Orient-Express Hotels.
Le Petit Blanc is just one of several restaurant and bar groups facing a change of ownership. Last week the Po Na Na chain of more than 40 Moroccan-themed late-night clubs and bars was advertised for sale by administrator Grant Thornton.
Administrator Malcolm Shierson hopes to find a single buyer for the core estate of 30 units this May and conclude the deal in June. Outlets in Cardiff, Aberdeen, Salisbury and Newcastle have been closed, but Shierson expects to achieve one-off sales for the remaining non-core outlets, which are still trading.
Meanwhile, accountants BDO Stoy Hayward is still seeking buyers for the remaining Aberdeen Steak Houses restaurants after securing a deal last month with Angus Food Company to rescue eight core branches in central London, which retain the brand name. The group of 21 London restaurants went into receivership last autumn.
A-Z Restaurants has confirmed that it is still in talks with the Bank Restaurant Group, which revealed in mid-March that it was "investigating a number of strategic transactions with other small restaurant groups, including the possibility of a merger".
By Angela Frewin