AccorHotels Acquires 50% Stake in sbe Entertainment Group

AccorHotels and sbe Entertainment Group ("sbe") have signed a Letter of Intent and entered into exclusive negotiations for AccorHotels to acquire a 50 percent stake in sbe, further illustrating AccorHotels’s strategy to expand its offering in the luxury lifestyle hospitality segment.

This partnership will combine the expertise and savoir-faire of the two groups; AccorHotels will acquire the 50% of sbe's common equity held in part by Cain International for $125 million. Sam Nazarian will continue to own the remaining 50% of sbe. In addition, AccorHotels will invest $194 million in a new preferred debt instrument that will be used to redeem all existing preferred units, also held in part by Cain International. AccorHotels’ total investment in sbe will be $319 million.

This long-term investment will allow sbe to leverage AccorHotels’ leading global hospitality platform while remaining an independent luxury lifestyle operator. Sbe will continue to be led by its Founder and CEO Sam Nazarian as well as its expert management team while retaining its global headquarters in New York.

Sam Nazarian, Founder and CEO of sbe: “This partnership with AccorHotels marks a new milestone in sbe’s history. This long-term investment by AccorHotels provides sbe, its customers and hotel owners with greater depth and breadth around the world and supports our collective ambition to be the best lifestyle hospitality company in the market. Building on our acquisition of Morgans Hotel Group in 2016, this investment will further accelerate our growth both domestically in the United States and in new markets internationally, particularly in Europe. I and the over 7,000 associates at sbe are thrilled and honored to partner with AccorHotels and be part of the amazing, innovative and pioneering culture that my dear friend, Chairman and CEO Sébastien Bazin and his team have implemented. Moving forward, sbe and AccorHotels together are committed to bringing our unique lifestyle experiential offering to more destinations and serving our discerning guests with unforgettable memories.”

Sébastien Bazin, Chairman & CEO, AccorHotels: “I am delighted to announce this strategic partnership with one of the most innovative Groups in the luxury lifestyle space worldwide. It marks a new step in expanding AccorHotels’ footprint in this fast growing segment in key US cities such as Miami, Los Angeles or Las Vegas, and in other international destinations. “The new luxury” is all about exclusive experiences and incredible lifestyle concepts and sbe brands have the perfect know-how that will complete perfectly the AccorHotels portfolio. We remain committed to providing all our guests with unparalleled service and always renewed experiences around the world”.

Jonathan Goldstein, Chief Executive of Cain International, commented: “Cain International became partners to sbe in 2016 providing the investment required at that time to enable the group to expand its footprint of some of the leading luxury lifestyle hospitality assets in the world. We are confident that sbe will continue to go from strength to strength with its new partners, AccorHotels; we wish them every success in the future and are proud of the role we have played in their exciting growth story.”

Through this investment, sbe will accelerate its international growth with expansion into new markets outside of the US, including priority growth markets in the Middle East and Latin America. sbe’s pipeline includes projects in some of the most important global gateway cities such as Atlanta, Chicago, Washington D.C., Dubai, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, Cancun, Tokyo and Los Cabos.

By the end of 2018 sbe will operate 25 hotels, comprising 7,498 keys with a majority in North America, 170 award winning restaurants and entertainment venues in global destinations as well as new properties in the Middle East, Asia and Latin America. It currently has a further 20 hotels and residences around the world in its pipeline, as well as 59 standalone restaurants and nightlife venues. In addition, sbe has sold 1,500 branded residential units valued at $2 billion with over 2,500 units valued at $2.5 billion in its pipeline.

Through this partnership, AccorHotels will expand its current geographic footprint in gateway North American cities such Los Angeles, Miami, Las Vegas and New York with iconic hotels. Additionally, sbe’s core millennial customer base will gain access to the AccorHotels platform.

With its global hotel development platform and presence in 100 countries, AccorHotels will play a key role in developing sbe’s luxury lifestyle hotel, restaurant and entertainment brands globally. sbe hotels will also be distributed on the AccorHotels distribution platform, be featured on Accorhotels.com and will be part of the AccorHotels loyalty programme.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. It should be completed by July 31, 2018