M&A: Page 7
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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 -
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 -
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 -
Uber reportedly bids $2.6B for Postmates
Postmates is also considering going public either through an IPO or a special purpose acquisition company.
By Julie Littman • June 30, 2020 -
WSJ: Chuck E. Cheese parent fielding potential buyers
New York grocery owner John Catsimatidis and a group of bondholders are among the eatertainment chain's latest suitors.
By Julie Littman • June 22, 2020 -
Just Eat Takeaway acquires Grubhub in all-stock deal
Grubhub shares jumped more than 7% during after hours trading on news of the deal, which will also give Amsterdam-based Just Eat Takeaway a strong foothold in the U.S.
By Julie Littman • June 10, 2020 -
BurgerFi to go public in $100M deal with blank-check investor
The burger chain entered into a definitive agreement with Opes Acquisition Corp. to combine on Tuesday. Its anticipated initial enterprise value is $143 million.
By Julie Littman • Updated June 30, 2020 -
Grubhub reportedly gains two new suitors: Just Eat Takeaway, Delivery Hero
The two European food delivery companies have emerged as potential buyers of Grubhub, following growing antitrust concerns if the U.S. aggregator combined with Uber.
By Julie Littman • June 8, 2020 -
Luby's seeks sale of all assets to clear debt
The operator is open to being acquired in its entirety but would sell its holdings, including Luby's, Fuddruckers and a contract management company called Culinary Contract Services, separately if needed.
By Emma Liem Beckett • June 4, 2020 -
Le Pain Quotidien's US arm files for bankruptcy, sold for $3M
The cafe chain, which already temporarily closed its 98 units and fired 2,000 employees due to COVID-19, said it would have faced liquidation if not for the sale to Aurify Brands.
By Julie Littman • May 27, 2020 -
Potential Uber/Grubhub merger points to inevitable consolidation in delivery market
While acquisitions have been speculated for 18 months, the latest rumors signal a shift in the segment — one that might lead to steeper fees and reduced visibility for restaurants.
By Julie Littman , Emma Liem Beckett • May 18, 2020 -
Bankrupt Krystal sold to Fortess Investment Group for $48M
With healthy M&A all but paused during the pandemic, distressed company sales are likely to be among the handful of deals to occur this year.
By Julie Littman • May 15, 2020 -
Uber bids to acquire Grubhub, reports say
While Grubhub wouldn't comment specifically on a Bloomberg report, it released a statement that said "consolidation could make sense in our industry, and like any responsible company, we are always looking at value-enhancing opportunities."
By Julie Littman • Updated May 12, 2020