Southpaw acquires 40 Taco bell units in Atlanta

The franchisee, which operates 180 restaurants, said this transaction will add geographic diversity and grow its Taco Bell network.

By Julie Littman • June 9, 2023

Corner Bakery accepts $15M bid from SSCP Restaurant Investors

SSCP, which bought the company’s debt earlier this year, outbid stalking horse bidder Wexford Capital during an auction held last week. 

By Julie Littman • June 5, 2023

Activist investor may pressure Yelp to sell, reports say

TCS Capital Management wants Yelp to explore strategic alternatives, such as selling itself, as a way to boost shareholder value, per The Wall Street Journal. 

By Julie Littman • May 23, 2023

Private investor seeks $12M buyout of bankrupt Corner Bakery

The stalking horse bidder, an affiliate of Wexford Capital, has proposed to buy the company during an auction expected to occur next week. 

By Julie Littman • May 23, 2023

Deliverect acquires ChatFood, offers dine-in ordering

Deliverect will roll out new products in the coming months so restaurants can offer ordering via social media and QR codes for dine-in guests.

By Julie Littman • May 10, 2023

Darden to buy Ruth’s Hospitality Group for $715M

This deal is likely the largest restaurant acquisition in the U.S. so far this year, as other transactions have involved small chains or companies that didn’t disclose financial terms. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 3, 2023

SPB Hospitality completes merger with Krystal Restaurants

The QSR, which will continue to operate independently, will join SPB’s portfolio that includes J. Alexander’s and Logan’s Road House. 

By Julie Littman • April 27, 2023

Yum completes exit of Russia with sale of KFC units

The sale to local operator Smart Service includes all 1,112 Russian KFC units and the trademark for the Rostik’s brand, which KFC bought in 2011. 

By Julie Littman • April 18, 2023

Port of Subs acquired by private equity firm

Area 15 Ventures looks to grow franchise sales in its portfolio, which includes Daddy’s Chicken Shack alongside Port of Subs, by 140% in 18 months.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 4, 2023

Main Squeeze Juice Co. acquires I Love Juice Bar

The deal will almost double Main Squeeze’s unit count of 28 stores and give it a strong presence in Texas and Tennessee. 

By Julie Littman • March 28, 2023

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill acquired by private equity firm

Garnett Station Partners bought the polished-casual chain, which has 56 locations in 20 states, with plans to help it accelerate growth. 

By Julie Littman • March 27, 2023

Toast buys Delphi Display Systems adding to QSR product suite

Delphi offers digital display and drive-thru technology designed for QSRs and comes a year after Toast bought Sling to enhance employee scheduling. 

By Julie Littman • Feb. 16, 2023

How Chowly’s Koala buy will broaden online ordering access for SMBs

With Koala’s enterprise-level digital ordering capabilities, Chowly will be able to offer a user-facing tool for its small and mid-size restaurant clients. 

By Julie Littman • Feb. 2, 2023

Chowly makes first acquisition with Koala buy

The purchase adds machine learning capabilities to Chowly’s platform, allowing it to give recommendations to restaurants to increase digital basket sizes.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 1, 2023

Subway reportedly mulling $10B sale

This price tag would near Inspire’s mammoth $11.4 billion purchase of Dunkin’ in 2020, but it may be difficult to find a restaurant or private equity buyer in uncertain economic times. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Jan. 12, 2023

The 10 biggest restaurant deals of 2022

Expensive capital and inflationary pressure slowed M&A last year, with both private equity firms and restaurant groups pausing their acquisition goals. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 3, 2023

Distressed deals, QSR buys may drive 2023 restaurant M&A

Buyers are attracted to models with strong off-premise sales that require lower building expenses and fewer employees, experts said.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 3, 2023

Chipotle targets Gen Z with wellness Snapchat Lens, menu items

To address how Gen Z and millennials approach wellness, the chain is focused on convenience and mobile gamification.

By Aaron Baar • Jan. 3, 2023

Inspire sells Rusty Taco to Gala Capital Partners

The restaurant, which has grown its footprint 50% since Inspire acquired it in 2018, will retain its current management team. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Dec. 21, 2022

Freshii sells to Foodtastic for $54.5M

Cash-strapped Freshii, which operates 37 U.S. locations out of 330-plus North American stores, marks Foodtastic’s second restaurant buy this month. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 19, 2022

Dine Brands to buy Fuzzy’s Taco Shop for $80M

The acquisition is the first for Dine Brands since it was founded in 2007, and adds a third restaurant to its portfolio. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 5, 2022

MTY Food Group buys Wetzel’s Pretzels for $207M

The purchase of the pretzel chain, which aims to reach 400 units by 2023, follows MTY’s acquisition of BBQ Holdings in September.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 2, 2022

First Watch launches a secondary IPO

The move comes weeks after Portillo’s announced a secondary offering, and may signal increasing confidence in the market after a slow IPO year.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 14, 2022

BBQ Holdings to be acquired by MTY Food Group for $200M

The transaction will add nine brands to the Canada-based company and allow it to further expand its U.S. portfolio, which also includes Papa Murphy’s. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 9, 2022

Butterfly Equity to buy Qdoba, fold it into Modern Restaurant Concepts

With the addition of the Mexican fast casual chain, Modern Restaurant Concepts expects growth potential to reach 3,000 units across brands. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 9, 2022