The Aquilini Investment Group (AIG) has expanded into the higher-end restaurant sector by buying the Toptable Group (TTG) from longtime owner Jack Evrensell, the company announced March 18.
Evrensel will stay with the company in a consulting capacity.
TTG includes restaurants such as CinCin, West, and Blue Water Café in Vancouver as well as Araxi in Whistler. The company also operates a chocolaterie, patisserie and café named Thierry.
"The Aquilinis will bring their passion for hospitality to Toptable," Evrensel said in a release. "This is a very positive alignment that will ensure the continuity of all Toptable properties."
AIG manages dozens of hotels and has other holdings as diverse as the Vancouver Canucks, Golden Eagle Golf Club and about 5,700 acres of farmland.
Run by Francesco, Paolo and Roberto, the company's restaurant holdings have so far been limited to owning master franchise rights and about 48 Pizza Hut restaurants in B.C.
The terms of the transaction will not be disclosed.
Business in Vancouver reached Francesco Aquilini March 18 and he confirmed both the transaction and that he has eaten at different Toptable restaurants through the years but did not want to comment publicly on the deal until his team had put out a press release.
"This acquisition aligns with our commitment to provide premium experiences for British Columbians," he said in the release. "We look forward to continuing Jack's tradition of excellence"
