Johnston Carmichael supports Zonal on sale to global software group
05 February 2026
Leading independent firm of chartered accountants and business advisers, Johnston Carmichael, has recently advised the shareholders of Zonal, the multi award-winning provider of technology solutions to the UK hospitality sector, on its sale to Volaris Group, a global operator of mission-critical software businesses, an operating group of Toronto-listed Constellation Software Inc.
Johnston Carmichael Corporate Finance and Transaction Tax teams acted as lead advisor to the shareholders of Zonal, managing the full sale process from the initial marketing phase through to the successful completion of the Transaction.
Zonal is a UK-based provider of electronic point-of-sale (EPoS) and integrated hospitality technology solutions that help pubs, restaurants, hotels and leisure operators run their businesses more efficiently, engage customers and grow revenue. Founded in 1979, the business has a presence in over 17,000 locations across the UK and employs over 700 people, serving a wide range of hospitality and leisure customers such as JD Wetherspoon, Greene King, Mitchells & Butler, Stonegate and Pizza Express.
Volaris Group is a global operator of specialist software businesses, investing for the long term and supporting companies to strengthen their products, teams and customer relationships across a wide range of industries worldwide.
Stuart McLean, CEO at Zonal, said: "Zonal was founded in 1979, and the decision to sell after more than 46 years of family ownership is one of the most significant decisions any shareholder can make. I knew walking into this process it would be difficult and emotional but I am not sure I had anticipated just how much. Choosing the right advisors has proven to be a key component and I could not have chosen better.
My sincere and heartfelt thanks to the team at Johnston Carmichael – I don’t think I’d have got through this with my sanity intact if it wasn’t for their advice, humour and above all calming demeanour, it has made all the difference in a process that is truly a rollercoaster of emotions. We only get to sell Zonal once, and I am so glad this is who we chose to guide us through that.
Campbell Cummings, Corporate Finance Partner at Johnston Carmichael, said: "Zonal is a household name in the hospitality sector, with their market-leading EPoS system being present in over 17,000 locations across the UK."
The McLean family have undoubtedly built one of the most successful hospitality technology businesses in the country over the past four decades, and we were delighted to advise them on the sale of Zonal to Volaris. We wish the combined businesses every success in their next phase of growth, and also wish Stuart and the wider McLean family all the very best going forward.