Apollo acquires majority stake in Prosol Group from Ardian

Apollo is strengthening its footprint in European retail by investing in fresh food. The global alternative investment manager announced that Apollo-managed funds have agreed to acquire a majority stake in Prosol Group, a France-based multi-specialist in fresh food retail, from Ardian. Prosol’s existing shareholders and management team will reinvest alongside Apollo, ensuring strategic continuity and long-term alignment.

Founded in 1992, Prosol has built a differentiated business model based on a proprietary, vertically integrated supply chain, enabling strong quality control and high customer loyalty. Today, the group operates nearly 450 stores across France, primarily under the Grand Frais and Fresh. banners, alongside additional brands including La Boulangerie du Marché, mon-marché.fr, BioFrais, and Banco Fresco in Italy.

Grand Frais has emerged as one of the most trusted names in French food retail, supported by more than 2,300 sourcing partners and a strong focus on premium fresh produce combined with best-in-class in-store experiences.

“Prosol is a clear category leader in fresh food retail, with a compelling customer proposition and an outstanding sourcing model,” said Alex van Hoek, Lead Partner for European Private Equity at Apollo. “Under Jean-Paul Mochet’s leadership, the company has delivered consistent organic growth while offering customers exceptional quality, wide assortment and strong value.”

The investment aligns with Apollo’s strategy of supporting high-quality retail platforms with scalable growth potential, both in France and internationally, while preserving the distinctive identity that resonates with customers.

“This investment marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Prosol,” said Jean-Paul Mochet, Chief Executive Officer. “It reflects the strength of our business and the relationships we have built with suppliers and customers. With Apollo’s support and expertise, we are well positioned to pursue our long-term growth ambitions across Europe.”

Apollo has been actively investing in France for over two decades, with approximately €14 billion invested across its strategies. Its French portfolio includes investments such as Constellium, Verallia and Vallourec, as well as large-scale capital solutions for leading corporates including Air France-KLM, EDF and TotalEnergies. Atlantys Investors served as Apollo’s advisor in France.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in Q2 2026.