The art of dressing up a rather brutal takeover. The Moma Group, around thirty restaurants and nightlife venues (Le Boeuf sur le Toit, Victoria, etc.), 115 million turnover and 1,000 employees, officially changes ownership. It passes into the fold of the company Butler Industries, which now holds 85% alongside four minority shareholders, including the artist Patrick Bruel. “This activity requires fairly significant investments,” explains businessman Walter Butler to Liberation. The latter now intends to develop the Moma group in Asia, Morocco and the Middle East. In reality, Moma Group was weighed down by a significant debt, including a state-guaranteed loan of 40 million euros contracted during the Covid period, of which 19 million euros remained to be repaid.
The founder of the group, Benjamin Patou, great-nephew of a fashion designer and perfumer, is therefore courteously but firmly pushed towards the door by a shareholder who began to take 40% of the capital in 2023 for 30 million euros. Obviously not at all satisfied with the results. “We had a plan for 2024 and it was not kept,” indicates Walter Butler who will appoint a new executive director. The closure of two restaurants located in the Docks district of Marseille is the responsibility of the previous management.
“The carp and the rabbit”
Benjamin Patou, who did not wish to answer questions from Liberationis offered an honorary position
