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

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

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

Sun Capital Partners sells Boston Market

Engage Brands, one of Rohan Group of Companies, becomes the private owner of the long-troubled brand, which has grappled with store closures and stagnant sales for years. 

By Julie Littman • April 29, 2020

Dine Brands investor wants to spin off IHOP

Dine Brands' board of directors says that forcing the company into creating a separately traded entity would not be in the best interests of its shareholders.

By Julie Littman • April 3, 2020

Yum acquires leadership development program

The parent company of Pizza Hut and Taco Bell plans to offer Heartstyles, which provides hands-on training, to 98% of its restaurants.

By Julie Littman • March 4, 2020

BBQ Holdings lands 1st acquisition with Granite City Food

This deal is unlikely to be the last for Famous Dave's parent company as it pushes to become a multi-branded concept, mirroring recent moves by Inspire Brands, FAT Brands and Cracker Barrel. 

By Julie Littman • Feb. 14, 2020

Bloomin' Brands closer to divesting Outback Brazil

The company has selected three bidders for its Outback operation in Brazil.

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 4, 2020