Led by Frankfurt-based Partner Dr. Katlen Blöcker Hogan Lovells advised Vapiano SE on a syndicated loan.

In the context of Vapiano SE's IPO, for which Prof. Dr. Michael Schlitt acted as lead counsel, the Hogan Lovells Banking team advised Vapiano SE on a syndicated loan in the amount of EUR 200 million, with an increase option of up to EUR 50 million. UniCredit Bank AG acted as lead arranger and agent, and UniCredit Luxembourg S.A. as trustee. The lenders were Barclays Bank plc, Commerzbank AG, Credit Lyonnais, DZ Bank AG, HSH Nordbank AG and UniCredit Luxembourg S.A.

With its innovative "Fresh Casual Dining" concept, gastronomic lifestyle brand VAPIANO founded a new category in the system catering industry in 2002. It combines elements of "fast casual" and "casual dining", thus giving guests a high degree of self-determination. Quality, freshness and transparency are the basis of the restaurant concept. VAPIANO uses almost exclusively fresh ingredients. Pasta, pizza dough, sauces, dressings as well as dolci are made from scratch in every single VAPIANO, sometimes even in the middle of the guest room in the glass manifattura. The dishes are prepared in the show kitchen, directly in front of the guest and "à la minute". This concept and a cosmopolitan ambience are VAPIANO's recipe for success. From Hamburg the idea quickly spread to the whole world. VAPIANO currently counts 186 restaurants in over 30 countries on five continents.