Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants, the Ares Management-backed upscale casual dining chain and wine club, is seeking up to $400m in private credit to refinance existing debt and fund growth initiatives, as it gears up for a public listing, according to a Bloomberg report citing sources familiar with the matter.

Jefferies Financial Group has been engaged to approach direct lenders in a bid to secure the financing package, which is expected to support the company’s capital structure ahead of its IPO plans.

Cooper’s Hawk has reportedly filed an S-1 registration statement, reviving IPO ambitions after a shelved attempt in 2022 that aimed for a valuation north of $1bn.

The company’s latest move underscores the increasing role of private credit in providing flexible capital solutions for sponsor-backed businesses looking to optimise their balance sheets ahead of strategic events such as public listings.