Universitas and Grupo Iruña have announced the creation of a joint group with the aim of strengthening their position in the national organized foodservice market and capitalizing on the sector’s growth. The combination of both companies will allow them to complement their current service offering, enhance competitiveness in an environment dominated by multinational players, and lay the foundations for expansion into new geographies. This will be supported by the integration of strengths in high-end hospitality and event catering, together with expertise in the institutional and university segments. The combined group will exceed €20 million in revenue and employ nearly 200 people.
This transaction is part of Universitas’ growth plan, driven by its main shareholder, the Stellum Food&Tech fund, managed by Stellum Capital. The shareholders of Grupo Iruña will become part of the shareholder base of the resulting group and will retain their values of proximity and strong local roots, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to the shared project and the long-term sustainability of the business.
Grupo Iruña is a hospitality group founded around the iconic Café Iruña in Bilbao, inaugurated in 1903 in the Jardines de Albia. Since its inception, it has evolved into a fully integrated hospitality operator, with a presence in landmark venues across Bilbao such as the Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC), Teatro Arriaga, Torre Iberdrola, and the Port of Bilbao, among others. It also offers a strong premium catering service for both corporate and private clients.
Universitas, for its part, has more than 20 years of experience specializing in foodservice, primarily in the university and workplace segments, managing cafeterias, restaurants, and catering services in public and private institutions across the Barcelona metropolitan area. Its management model, focused on service quality, operational efficiency, and a strong commitment to the university community, has enabled it to establish itself as a leading operator in this segment.
Grupo Iruña’s shareholders, Amaia and Gaizka Aseguinolaza, stated: “We are joining this project with the conviction that Universitas and Stellum Capital are the ideal partners to support us in Grupo Iruña’s next phase of growth. More than 40 years of history back us, and this partnership provides the scale and resources needed to continue being a benchmark in quality hospitality.”
Carlos Garza, CEO of Universitas, commented: “This alliance with Grupo Iruña represents a key strategic step for Universitas. The complementarity between our business models and the strength of both organizations will allow us to build a hospitality group capable of competing in new markets and channels, while always maintaining a focus on service quality and people.”
David Martínez, Managing Partner of Stellum Food&Tech I, added: “This transaction is a clear example of our strategy: supporting companies with strong teams and differentiated projects so they can grow in an ambitious, responsible, and sustainable way. The combination of Universitas and Grupo Iruña creates a platform with significant potential in the foodservice sector.”
Grupo Iruña was advised by EY Abogados, while Universitas received legal advice from Rocío Cruces Torres. Financial, labor, tax, and legal due diligence processes were carried out by Deloitte.
About Universitas
Universitas is a company specialized in university foodservice, with more than 20 years of experience managing cafeterias, restaurants, and catering services in public institutions across the Barcelona metropolitan area. With a management model focused on quality, sustainability, and service to the educational community, Universitas has established itself as a leading operator in the institutional segment. The company is majority-owned by the Stellum Food&Tech I fund, managed by private equity firm Stellum Capital.
About Grupo Iruña
Grupo Iruña is a Bilbao-based hospitality group with more than 40 years of history, whose origins date back to Café Iruña, founded in 1903 in the Jardines de Albia. The group provides comprehensive hospitality services—including historic cafés and venues, high-end dining, catering for corporate and private clients, and the management of exclusive spaces—and operates in emblematic locations across the Basque Country such as the BEC, Teatro Arriaga, Torre Iberdrola, and the Port of Bilbao.
About Stellum Food&Tech
Stellum Food&Tech is a fund managed by Stellum Capital, promoted by Fundación Artizarra. Specialized in companies within the food sector and its value chain, its mission is to identify and support businesses with strong growth potential and innovative capabilities, facilitating their expansion and strengthening their market position. Its recent investments include Urkabe Benetan and Ameztoi, both focused on ready-to-eat products; Productos Pilarica, a leader in natural ingredients; Huerta de Peralta (El Huertico), operating in fresh fourth- and fifth-range vegetables; Uvesco, a retail company managing BM supermarkets; and Universitas, among others.
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