Israeli Catering Giant Li-Bar Valued at $100 Million in Investment Deal
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
Investment fund Sky has acquired a 50% stake in the Israeli catering company Li-Bar for approximately 350-400 million shekels, valuing the family business at up to $107 million. The company, which employs 1,500 people and has annual revenues of about $107 million, was founded by the Yifrah family and is now managed by brothers Liel and Bar Yifrah. Actor Eli Yatzpan and his partner Or Bismut brokered the deal through their firm Exodus. The investment will support Li-Bar's ongoing expansion.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Sky fund acquired 50% of Li-Bar catering for 350-400 million shekels.
- Li-Bar employs 1,500 people and has annual revenues of 400 million shekels.
- The Yifrah family founded the company, now managed by brothers Liel and Bar Yifrah.
- Actor Eli Yatzpan and Or Bismut brokered the deal via their firm Exodus.
- The catering company serves clients including Intel, the IDF, and the Israel Police.
Li-Bar, a major Israeli catering company that serves tens of thousands of meals daily to diverse clients including high-tech firms, military bases, and government offices, has secured a significant investment. Investment fund Sky has acquired a 50% stake in the family-run business at a valuation of approximately 350-400 million shekels ($90-$107 million).
The company's roots trace back decades to a small restaurant in Kiryat Gat, founded by the Yifrah family. Brothers Liel and Bar Yifrah, aged 36 and 32 respectively, currently manage the company, which was established by their parents, Yaakov and Miri Yifrah. They have led Li-Bar for the past eight years, overseeing its expansion from a local eatery to a large-scale catering and events operation.
Actor and comedian Eli Yatzpan, alongside his partner Or Bismut through their investment banking firm Exodus, played a role in brokering the deal. Exodus specializes in mergers and acquisitions for family-owned businesses, and their involvement is expected to yield them a commission of up to 2% of the transaction's value.
Li-Bar currently employs around 1,500 people and generates an annual revenue of approximately 400 million shekels ($107 million). Its client list includes major corporations like Intel and Assa Abloy, as well as the Ministry of Defense, the IDF, and the Israel Police. The company has also expanded into event services, tourism, and real estate.
The investment from Sky, a fund founded in 2005 and specializing in established Israeli companies, aims to support Li-Bar's continued growth. The Yifrah family will retain the remaining 50% stake and continue to manage the company's day-to-day operations. The deal, agreed upon in August, was finalized in early September, with part of the funds going to the Yifrah family and the remainder injected into the company for future development.