Goody’s and Everest: Deal with Recipe Unlimited

The agreement for Canada’s Recipe Unlimited to acquire Evergood’s operations puts the future of several well-known Greek restaurant and café chains, and their franchisees, in the spotlight. According to a report in To Manifesto on 16 October 2026, the transaction includes Goody’s, Everest, Flocafé, La Pasteria and Jackaroo. Completion is expected by the end of the year, subject to the necessary approvals.

Who is buying and what the deal includes

The transaction is being carried out through Recipe Unlimited Corporation, which is controlled by Prem Watsa’s Fairfax Financial Holdings. The seller is private equity firm CVC Capital Partners, which acquired Vivartia from MIG. The agreement covers the operations of Evergood, the business that brings together the foodservice brands and companies.

The scope of the transaction extends beyond the outlets consumers visit every day. It also includes production facilities and catering operations serving events and business premises. This is therefore a change of ownership for a broader group of businesses, rather than the standalone sale of a brand or selected outlets.

The report estimates the purchase price at €300 million, while making clear that the final amount has not been disclosed. This distinction matters: €300 million is a press estimate, not an officially announced final price. Likewise, the agreement should not be confused with a completed acquisition, as the necessary approvals are still required.

A network of 596 outlets across nine countries

Evergood’s portfolio comprises 596 outlets in Greece and abroad, with a presence in nine countries. Total network sales, including franchised outlets, are reported at €375 million. This figure therefore represents sales across the entire network and should not be presented as sales generated solely by company-owned outlets.

The outlet count requires similar care. The figure of 596 covers the whole portfolio in Greece and internationally, not just the Greek market or franchised outlets alone. For those involved in or considering franchising in Greece, the significance lies in the combination of established brands, an international presence and franchise partners within the same business group.

On the buyer’s side, Recipe Unlimited operates more than 1,100 restaurants and, according to the same report, ranks among Canada’s largest restaurant groups. The deal thus connects Greek chains with decades of history to a group that already has an extensive restaurant network.

Franchising in the growth plans

Expansion of the franchise network is explicitly mentioned among the plans associated with the deal. Other priorities include opening new outlets and capitalising on increased tourist numbers in Greece. Beyond the change in ownership, these are the main factors that make the transaction particularly relevant to the franchise sector.

These plans set out growth priorities, not completed actions. References to new outlets do not amount to announcements of specific openings. Nor does the intention to expand franchising in itself constitute a new franchise offer with defined financial terms. For a prospective franchisee, this distinction is crucial when assessing a business opportunity.

Similarly, tourism is presented as a factor in the planning process, rather than as a separate announcement concerning specific destinations. The central point remains that franchising forms part of the growth strategy for the group following completion of the transaction.

What franchisees should watch

The next clear milestone is completion of the acquisition, expected by the end of 2026 and subject to the necessary approvals. Until then, a careful reading of developments should distinguish between three things: the agreement itself, the scale of the network it covers and the stated priorities for future growth.

Existing and prospective franchisees should assess corporate developments separately from the terms of any individual franchise arrangement. The size of a network and the involvement of an international investor help establish the business context, but they are no substitute for evaluating the contract, the investment required and the support provided to an outlet.

Practical takeaway: Monitor completion of the transaction and request specific information about the brand you are interested in before using the broader expansion plans to inform your own investment decision.