21 Invest, a European investment group founded and led by Alessandro Benetton, with headquarters in Italy, France, and Poland, announces the finalization of a binding agreement with BeNice Holding Spa, founded in 1993 by Lauro Buoro, to acquire TheNiceKitchen, an Italian group specialized in the production of cooking, refrigeration, and washing systems for professional kitchens.

The TheNiceKitchen project, promoted by BeNice Holding, began in 2013 with the acquisition of Modular Professional Srl, focused on the production of modular kitchens, cooktops, ovens, and dishwashers. In 2019, the acquisition and subsequent integration of Coldline Srl, founded in 1995 by Alessandro and Gianluca Bagante, a leader in the professional refrigeration segment (with refrigerators, refrigerated tables, and blast chillers), marked a key milestone in the formation of the group. Today, the company integrates cooking, refrigeration, and washing technologies, combining performance, reliability, and digital know-how with a unique software and hardware platform to maximize efficiency and enhance the user experience. The acquisition of the group’s experience-focused division, including the companies Merryday Srl and Linearbi Srl, ensures the continued development of TNK technologies, increasingly tailored to the real needs of the end user.

The integration project is now entering a new phase, with 21 Invest acquiring a majority stake and joining Alessandro and Gianluca Bagante as shareholders. The Bagantes are increasing their stake in the group and will continue to lead its future development.

The company, strategically located in the heart of the Inox Valley, manufactures its entire range in Italy at its sites in Torreglia (PD) and San Vendemiano (TV), employing around 300 people. In 2023, TheNiceKitchen group generated revenues of approximately 55 million euros, with 60% coming from international markets.

Thanks to constant investments in research and development, TheNiceKitchen products stand out for their unique technology. The advanced integrated software and hardware system, developed by an in-house team of technicians and programmers, significantly reduces energy consumption while improving the performance of restaurant businesses. The goal of TheNiceKitchen is to guide entrepreneurs in the industry towards digitalization by introducing a new model for managing data, spaces, and work processes.

Leveraging this positioning, 21 Invest will support the entire management team, in further accelerating development in international markets by strengthening commercial resources, optimizing the sales channel mix, and maintaining a continuous focus on product development, while also pursuing M&A opportunities that could complement the group’s portfolio of solutions.

The digital evolution of the kitchen will remain the cornerstone of TheNiceKitchen project’s development, with the goal of offering customers the best products for individual installations while also providing complete kitchens integrated with advanced software solutions capable of connecting the production area (the kitchen) with the sales area (the dining room).

Alessandro Benetton, Chairman and Founder of 21 Invest, comments: “TheNiceKitchen represents an excellence of the Veneto region, a perfect blend of innovation, know-how, and design. Our goal is to promote sustainable growth, not only in terms of dimensional and market expansion but also by creating new jobs to strengthen the group’s competitiveness. The 21 Invest team will carry forward this innovation path by offering an increasingly interconnected and cutting-edge kitchen experience, the strength of made-in-Italy internationally.”

Lauro Buoro, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BeNice Holding Spa, stated: “The success of TheNiceKitchen has been made possible by a well-structured journey that has led us to create an innovative and cohesive concept of professional kitchens, strengthened by a unique brand. The management's ability to drive change has been essential, as has the vision that allowed us to develop a completely new project in a traditionally static sector characterized by a landscape of established players."

Alessandro Bagante, CEO of TheNiceKitchen, states: “The partnership with 21 Invest represents a crucial step to accelerate the development of TheNiceKitchen. The shared strategic plan aims to create a European leader in the food equipment market through integrated solutions supported by a common technological platform that connects all TNK devices. The management and all the TheNiceKitchen collaborators have worked with commitment and enthusiasm over the years to support development. With 21 Invest, we will be able to fully express the potential of this group to achieve our ambitious goals.”

21 Invest was assisted for legal and corporate aspects by Hogan Lovells, for financial, tax, and ESG due diligence by KPMG, for business due diligence by Roland Berger, and by Fineurop as debt advisor.

BeNice Holding expresses its gratitude to all the individuals who have contributed to the evolution of the group, particularly to Mario Petracco, Board Member, Alessandro Bagante, Chief Executive Officer, and Marco Fella, Chief Financial Officer of TheNiceKitchen. With this divestiture, BeNice Holding closes an important chapter in Foodservice and prepares to face new challenges in other growth sectors.