US buyout specialist Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Japanese tyre manufacturer Bridgestone are believed to be the favourites to acquire the fast fit company from CVC. Second round bids for the chain — estimated at around the £1bn mark — have been tabled and a buyer could soon be announced. Reports suggest that KKR has emerged as the favourite as it already owns German automotive parts company ATU, which it bought for £970m in 2004. Bridgestone could also be well placed after securing the backing of the Mitsubishi Corporation for its bid. Private equity groups BC Partners and JP Morgan Partners are among some of the other businesses believed to have tabled bids.