IN a deal worth a massive £213 million, the owners of Pizza Express have snatched up St Albans-based restaurant chain Ask Central.

Nando's Chicken restaurant owners Capricorn Ventures and TDR Capital topped a bid from rivals The Restaurant Chain on Friday, February 13.

Ask Central Plc has its headquarters above the Zizzi restaurant in the High Street, St Albans.

Founders Adam and Samuel Kaye opened their first Ask restaurant in London in1993.

Just over a decade later they own and operate more than 170 pizza and pasta restaurants around the UK, including the Zizzi and Jo Shmo brands.

Chief executive Adam and executive director Samuel have backed the bid from the consortium, although it still has to be agreed by shareholders.

TDR capital founding partner Manjit Dale said: "Adam and Samuel Kaye and their team have built a great business with excellent prospects.

"We intend to build on their success by developing the leading full-service restaurant chain in the UK."

The consortium entered the race in January after The Restaurant Group which owns Caff Uno, Garfunkel's and Frankie and Benny's triggered bidding with an offer of around £177 million in cash and shares to buy out Ask.

Mr Adam Kaye said: "We believe the premium offered (by the consortium), which reflects our impressive track record of growth and the certainty of cash, combine to make the offer very attractive to shareholders."

TDR and Capricorn joined forces last year to buy up Pizza Express for £277.8 million. Its Ask bid on Friday came just minutes before the deadline set.

Ask Central has specialised in restoring listed buildings and buildings of local interest to create its restaurants.