Banken: Angeschlagene Volksbank Brawo trennt sich von Gastro-Betrieben

Volksbank Brawo is reorganizing its portfolio, separating its troubled gastronomy arm, BG Gastro, from its main operations. Three of the six restaurants owned by BG Gastro will return to their original owner, Halil Deniz, with the remaining three restaurants' fate uncertain. The Havn in Hanover, the Glashaus in Burgdorf, and the Frida am See in Burgwedel will be transferred to Deniz's Peacock Holding.

The company plans to manage the restaurants in-house moving forward. Other BG Gastro businesses will soon see a decision on their future status. The Volksbank Brawo is reviewing whether to keep these businesses within its portfolio, including the Überland, a rooftop bar in a Brawo Park office building that also houses the Volksbank itself.

This step is part of the Brawo's portfolio cleanup, which includes around 400 holdings. The bank faced a negative valuation of around 400 million euros for its investments in 2024. Despite expanding its gastronomy business with the acquisition of five restaurants from Deniz in 2024, including the Havn, the Strandhaus, and the 6 Sinne Sky Bar & Restaurant, the segment has since underperformed.

In July, BG Gastro Holding reported a loss of 413,540 euros. Diana Brinkmann, former director of BG Gastro, left the company amicably, citing her desire for a contract renewal. The long-standing Brawo CEO, Jürgen Brinkmann, had to step down in May, and the bank had prepared to seek support from the BVR industry association's safeguarding mechanism.

The return of the three restaurants impacts a legal dispute between BG Gastro and Peacock Holding over financial claims from the company's purchase. A comparison between the parties has ended the case, according to a court spokesman.