Anadolu Group postpones sale of McDonald's Turkey to Birleşik Holding due to COVID-19

Turkey's Anadolu Group Holding said on Dec. 9 it has postponed the agreed sale of Anadolu Restoran company, which holds the franchise right of McDonald's in the country, to Birleşik Holding. It said that Birleşik Holding asked for such a delay due to the adverse effects of COVID-19-related measures on Anadolu Restoran's business.

Wednesday December 09 2020 10:03 pm

Duvar English

Turkey's Anadolu Group Holding has said that the agreed sale of the shares of Anadolu Restoran İşletmeleri, through which the company operates the McDonald's chain in the country, has been delayed to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

In a statement to the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) on Dec. 9, Anadolu Group Holding said that Anadolu Restoran had been adversely affected due to COVID-19 measures, such as curfews and the fact that restaurants are only allowed to offer takeaway and delivery services.

“Taking into the aforementioned conditions, the buyer side -- using its rights stemming from the agreement -- has demanded that the deal's closure be postponed, and said it will make a decision based on the developments,” Anadolu Group Holding said.

In January, Anadolu Group Holding announced that all shares of Anadolu Restoran would be sold to Birleşik Holding Limited. In a statement to the Istanbul stock exchange, Anadolu Group Holding said a share purchase agreement had been signed with Birleşik.

Although the transfer was expected to take place in the first quarter of 2020, the Competition Authority has not approved the transaction during this period. The initial agreement signed between the parties expired on July 30 and an additional contract was signed on Aug. 20, which included a revision on the agreed share prices of Anadolu Restoran.

Although the Competition Authority approved the transfer on Dec. 8, some 10 months after the application, Birleşik Holding Limited has demanded that the transaction be postponed.