The classic French brand is up for sale, and there are rumors of two potential buyers.
Le Coq Sportif is up for sale, and, rumor has it, there are two potential buyers – one of them backed by the French government. In an effort to facilitate the sale, the Grand Est region has agreed to write off 50 percent of the company’s outstanding debt.
In November the classic French brand was placed into receivership by the Commercial Court of Paris. This was to give it an opportunity to engage in and finalize discussions with new investors and strategic partners, sustain its activity and shore up its economic model. In January 2025, however, the company went in to bankruptcy.
During April the court-appointed administrator consulted with creditors, including the Grand Est region, on a proposed partial debt-forgiveness plan designed to enable the takeover. The Paris Commercial Court has since approved the recovery plan, and a report was published on May 9.
“Two buyers have expressed interest. At this stage, only one appears able to submit a viable recovery plan,” reads the report, presented by Franck Leroy, president of the Grand Est region.
According to the report, the bid supported by the French government aims to maintain operations at the Romilly-sur-Seine site and offers favorable terms for public and private creditors. By contrast, the alternative proposal reportedly involves selling licensing rights abroad.
Also on May 9, the regional council voted to cancel 50 percent of its €2.4 million claim against Le Coq Sportif – equivalent to €1.2 million – and reschedule repayment of the remaining half over a ten-year period.
In 2021, the Grand Est region granted the brand a zero-interest loan of €2.65 million over 11 years to help restructure its historic factory in Romilly-sur-Seine and thereby ramp up production for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, for which it supplied the French Olympic delegation. Le Coq Sportif reportedly owes €60 to €70 million to public institutions, including €42 million in loans granted by the French state.
The company did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment. Its parent company, Swiss investment holding Airesis, also declined to comment, several media outlets have reported.
Founded in Romilly-sur-Seine (Aube), Le Coq Sportif employs around 300 people in France.
