A Wesray group is considering a bid for Avis Inc.

A group of Avis Inc. licensees and Wesray Corp., a private investment firm, are considering a joint bid to acquire Avis from Beatrice Cos., Wesray said. Beatrice, the Chicago-based conglomerate, put the rental car subsidiary and three smaller units on the block last month. The proceeds were to help pare Beatrice’s heavy debt load following its $2.7-billion acquisition last year of Esmark Inc., a transaction that included Avis. Wesray said the Avis licensees involved in its proposed purchase of Avis account for about 40% of total Avis licensee revenue. About one-quarter of Avis’ overall revenue, which totaled about $800 million in its fiscal year ended Feb. 28, comes from franchises. The remaining revenue is generated by company-owned outlets.