M&A
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Private equity firm acquires Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
The new owner looks to help accelerate the restaurant's franchise development, as well as increase its marketing and technology deployment.
By Julie Littman • March 04, 2021 -
Courtesy of Chowbotics
DoorDash's Chowbotics acquisition brings automation expertise in-house
The food delivery company plans to use the startup's robots to provide restaurants with a tool to reach new markets and customers without having to build a store.
By Julie Littman , Thai Phi Le • Feb. 08, 2021 -
Fertitta Entertainment strikes deal to take Landry's public
The restaurant company will merge with FAST Acquisition Corp. to return to the Nasdaq exchange a decade after going private in 2010.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 01, 2021 -
4 investor strategies for restaurant deals this year
From private equity firms to special purpose acquisition corporations, all investor eyes will be on concepts that have thrived during the pandemic with strong potential to grow nationally.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 22, 2021 -
Getty
Deep DiveAfter pandemic slump, M&A will accelerate in 2021
From distressed deals to buyouts, transaction activity will be diverse as more buyers anticipate high returns on investment when the industry recovers after the pandemic.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 21, 2021 -
NPC International agrees to $801M sale of its Wendy's, Pizza Hut assets
Flynn Restaurant Group will acquire all of NPC's 900-plus Pizza Hut units and half of its 393 Wendy's units, while a consortium of Wendy's franchisees buys the other half.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 07, 2021 -
Peak Rock Capital acquires Shipley Do-Nuts
The new owner will focus on growing and improving performance at the 300-unit doughnut chain, which is mainly focused in the Texas market.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 07, 2021 -
Permission granted by WIng Zone
Capriotti's Sandwich Shop acquires Wing Zone
The sandwich chain looks to leverage Wing Zone's off-premise experience, which includes a direct delivery model, to grow both brands nationwide.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 05, 2021 -
Thai Phi Le
10 of the most impactful restaurant M&A deals of 2020
Deal-making slowed to a crawl during the height of the pandemic, but concepts with strong off-premise potential piqued the interest of strategic buyers in the last few months of the year.
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Retrieved from WoWorks on December 22, 2020
Saladworks parent buys 2 fast casual chains, forms holding company
The acquisition of Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and Frutta Bowls has led to the creation of WoWorks, which will focus on brands that serve healthy meals.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 22, 2020 -
Luby's sells 13 Fuddruckers locations to franchisee
The agreement with Black Titan Holdings is part of Luby's plan to sell its assets and liquidate and dissolve Luby's, Inc.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 17, 2020 -
Bankruptcy court approves By Chloe's plan to sell company
Co-founder and chef Chloe Coscarelli is reportedly exploring a bid for the company, which she left after a dispute with a shareholder.
By Julie Littman • UPDATED: Jan. 8, 2021 at 9:55 a.m. -
Alabama Extension. (2020). "The image" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
Q&AShould you close, sell or declare bankruptcy? What restaurants need to know.
Edward Webb, advisory partner at consultancy BPM, discusses what operators struggling to meet their financial obligations should consider in their next steps.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 14, 2020 -
FAT Brands
Fat Brands to merge with Fog Cutter Capital Group
The Johnny Rockets owner says the agreement to combine with its controlling stockholder will provide the company with more financial flexibility and simplify its corporate structure.
By Julie Littman • UPDATED: Dec. 11, 2020 at 10:15 a.m. -
Court approves Ruby Tuesday's plan to sell itself
Goldman Sachs and TCW Direct Lending, two of the company's main lenders, are potential bidders for the casual dining company, which is trying to pay down over $50 million in debt.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 23, 2020 -
Wendy's wants to buy NPC International's 393 units
The QSR put forth a consortium bid with a group of pre-qualified franchisees a week after it filed an objection to a deal proposed by stalking horse bidder Flynn Restaurant Group.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 19, 2020 -
Zaxby's looks to go national as Goldman Sachs buys 'significant' stake
The partnership will help the chicken chain accelerate growth and enhance the guest experience. A spokesperson said it may potentially eye international expansion as well.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 19, 2020 -
Wendy's files objections to NPC asset sale to Flynn Restaurant Group
The burger chain said in a court filing that it disapproves of costly break-up fees and Flynn's ownership of two competitors, Panera and Arby's, which would violate Wendy's franchisee agreement.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 17, 2020 -
NPC International cancels asset auctions
The move could make it easier for Flynn Restaurant Group to complete its $816 million bid for the company's assets, according to The Wall Street Journal.
By Julie Littman • UPDATED: Dec. 1, 2020 at 10:33 a.m. -
Aurify preps for expansion of Le Pain Quotidien brand in New York City
The company, which bought the cafe bakery chain for $3 million in June, will open at least 10 locations inside former Maison Kayser locations by early 2021.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 03, 2020 -
Friendly's declares bankruptcy, agrees to $2M sale
While the casual chain saw improvements after focusing on off-premise, closing unprofitable locations and reducing costs, the pandemic stifled its progress.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 02, 2020 -
Inspire Brands buys Dunkin' in $11.3B deal
The transaction is the largest deal of the year between two restaurant companies, but Inspire will need to strategize how to expand Dunkin' into the West as it nears saturation in Eastern markets.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 30, 2020 -
Roark Capital sells Corner Bakery
The cafe chain was seeing declining sales even before the pandemic, but Boston Market owner Rohan Group sees potential alliances between the two brands.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 30, 2020 -
Thai Phi Le
Dunkin' in preliminary talks to be acquired by Inspire Brands
The potential sale, which could value Dunkin' at $8.8 billion, would be the largest deal among two restaurant holding companies this year and suggests healthy M&A activity still exists amid the pandemic.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 26, 2020 -
Sun Holdings acquires bankrupt IHOP locations
Sun Holdings subsidiary Suncakes LLC bought 41 out of 49 IHOP locations from CFRA Holdings, which filed for bankruptcy in May.
By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 16, 2020
