The BB’s Coffee & Muffins chain has been bought by private equity company Brentwood Investments for a sum rumoured to be around €10m (£7.1m). 

The brand runs more than 50 cafés in the UK and Ireland and is now looking for expansion.

It will be under the charge of Andrew Moyes who has held the post of managing director of the UK business for the last five years and will now become group chief executive for the Retail Food Group in Ireland and the UK, taking over from Patrick McCarthy.

Dermot McMahon will remain as finance director, as will the support team in Limerick, Ireland.

Expansion plans will be put into place following the purchase.

Moyes told British Baker: “I am pleased to announce that BB’s Coffee and Muffins has been bought by Brentwood Investments, a private equity company headed by David Raethorne and Matt Scaife.

"Brentwood Investments’ strategic plan is for us to expand the business adding a further 40 company and franchise shops over the coming years.

“We are looking to open an additional eight company shops across the UK and Ireland in the next 12 months, in shopping centres, plus more franchise shops with our existing franchise partners.

“The UK and Irish businesses will continue to trade under their respective companies - Kapelad Limited and RFG (Retail Food Group) Ireland Limited. We will look to boost the operations side of the business to support the existing team.”

Brentwood’s Scaife said: “We are delighted to back a strong, branded consumer business with a differentiated consumer proposition. BB’s has good growth prospects in the UK and Ireland.”

The firm sells baguettes, breakfast rolls and bloomer sandwiches, as well as a range of pastries and pasties. Its sites span from the south of England to Scotland and Ireland.