Marc Coucke expands rib‑restaurant chain amid €19.4m tax fight
Fans will soon spot Marc Coucke on VTM’s talk show Happy Hour, where he joins presenter Ruben Van Gucht alongside Metejoor and Herman Brusselmans in a teaser that hints at the upcoming season. The appearance comes as the businessman expands his portfolio beyond football.
Happy Hour debut on VTM
Coucke’s involvement in Happy Hour was first revealed in a short promotional video that aired ahead of the programme. The clip features him alongside Ruben Van Gucht, Metejoor and Herman Brusselmans, showcasing a light‑hearted preview of the show’s tone. The network plans to broadcast the episode in the coming weeks as a teaser for the season.
Stadium tax battle threatens KV Oostende
This week the Anderlecht‑linked entrepreneur received unwelcome financial news as his holding Alychlo faced a hefty tax claim. The tax authority demands €19.4 million from the company that controls the KV Oostende stadium. Alychlo denies liability and is contesting the full amount in court.
After KV Oostende’s bankruptcy, the stadium passed to the city of Oostende in 2024, a transfer that Coucke continues to dispute. The ownership structure and future of the involved corporation remain uncertain, adding further complexity to the dispute.
Beyond football, Coucke’s leisure portfolio includes attractions such as Pairi Daiza and the Durbuy region, as well as a gastronomy concept, a hotel in Knokke and seaside ice‑cream stalls. These enterprises illustrate his diversified investment strategy across tourism and hospitality. The examples are legion.
Most recently, Coucke entered the rib‑restaurant market by acquiring the Amadeus chain, a well‑known spareribs brand. He placed a bid for five locations, with a sixth expected to join shortly. “When I heard Amadeus was for sale, I thought immediately: wow, this is an icon,” Coucke told .
He added, “It is absolutely a profitable business. But the most important thing is that it generates a healthy cash flow, allowing us to finance the chain’s future growth entirely on our own strength.”
Coucke’s growth plan aims to open one new Amadeus restaurant each year, reinforcing the chain’s cash‑flow driven expansion. The strategy aligns with his broader goal of keeping iconic Belgian brands in domestic hands.
Despite the looming €19.4 million tax dispute, Coucke continues to broaden his business footprint, demonstrating resilience and ambition across media, sport and hospitality sectors. He is often described as the strong man of Anderlecht. His activities keep him a prominent figure in Belgian commercial circles.