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. 7, 2021

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. 5, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Restaurant Financing

With ongoing macroeconomic pressures facing restaurants, operators are entering into alternative financing, mergers and acquisitions and even bankruptcy to sustain their businesses. 

By Restaurant Dive staff

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. 

Dec. 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

Should 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 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

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

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. 3, 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. 2, 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

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

How Tropical Smoothie's new owner will accelerate growth

Levine Leichtman Capital Partners talks about what drew the firm to the smoothie chain, which has a pipeline of over 500 units, and how its financial resources will support nationwide expansion.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 9, 2020

Golden Gate Capital sells remaining stake in Red Lobster

The sale could help the chain recoup some capital as it looks to improve its balance sheet and pay a looming $180 million loan that is due July 2021.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 31, 2020

Seated acquires events booking platform VenueBook

The reservation app, which also raised $30 million in funding, estimates that private events generate 10% to 15% of a restaurant's revenue and up to 20% of its profit. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 19, 2020

Johnny Rockets will grow via ghost kitchens, Fat Brands CEO says

Andy Wiederhorn said that Johnny Rockets gives franchisees diversified burger options and the chance to scale a new brand through virtual kitchens out of other Fat Brands restaurants.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 18, 2020

Fat Brands continues expansion tear with purchase of Johnny Rockets for $25M

The deal, which is expected to close in September, will bring the Fatburger parent's store network to about 700 and raise its annual sales to over $700 million. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 13, 2020

Uber completes $2.65B Postmates acquisition

Uber estimates Postmates will contribute between $350 million and $400 million to Uber's delivery gross bookings.

By Julie Littman , Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Dec. 1, 2020