Private equity OpCapita buys owner of Rossopomodoro pizza chain

MILAN, March 9 (Reuters) - European private equity firmOpCapita said on Friday it had reached a deal to buy themajority of Sebeto, an Italian restaurant group whose assetsinclude pizza chain Rossopomodoro.

* The deal values Sebeto at more than 80 million euros ($99million), including debt, two sources with knowledge of thematter said. OpCapita did not say how much it paid for Sebeto.

* OpCapita acquired the restaurant operator fromLondon-basedprivate equity firm Change Capital.

* The buyer said it saw significant potential to grow theRossopomodoro brand in Italy and abroad, exploiting itsNeapolitan heritage.

* The fund has picked new managers to strengthen the Sebetoteam,including former CEO of Benetton group Marco Airoldi and COO oftravel caterer Autogrill Roberto Colombo.

* Change Capital was advised on the deal by Rothschild withLegance as legal adviser, while Lazard and legal firm Chiomentiadvised OpCapita on the deal.

* Studio Legale Ambrosino-Pecora advised Sebeto founders andothershareholders.($1 = 0.8117 euros)(Reporting by Francesca Landini; Editing by Susan Fenton)