M&A
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Darden wraps up Chuy’s acquisition
The Tex-Mex chain brings strong unit volumes — about $4.5 million — to Darden, but its same-store sales fell last quarter, like many casual dining brands.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 14, 2024 -
Courtesy of Yum Brands/Pizza Hut
EYM Pizza to sell 127 Pizza Hut units
The operator, which declared bankruptcy in June, previously closed over a dozen locations in Indiana, which Pizza Hut said it would transfer to new owners.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 26, 2024 -
Explore the Trendlineâž”
VioletaStoimenova via Getty Images
TrendlineRestaurant 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 -
Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
TGI Fridays acquisition falls through, bondholders seize assets
Hostmore still wants to sell its restaurants after the U.K. franchisee’s acquisition plan was torpedoed by the casual dining brand's manager termination event.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 9, 2024 -
Permission granted by Modern Market Eatery
Thrive Restaurant Group buys Modern Market Eatery
Thrive previously committed to opening 41 units as Modern Market’s largest franchisee, but felt that buying the brand was a natural next step in its growth.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 6, 2024 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Court approves Red Lobster’s restructuring, buyout plan
The seafood chain will emerge from bankruptcy with P.F. Chang’s former CEO at the helm and $60 million in new funding.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 6, 2024 -
Scott Olson / Staff via Getty Images
KBP Brands buys 85 Sonic units
KBP first bought into the Inspire Brands system in 2021, when it purchased a number of Arby’s stores.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 4, 2024 -
Playa Bowls acquired by Sycamore Partners
Under previous owner Tamarix, the fruit bowl chain added over 150 locations. It expects to speed up growth under its new owner.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 4, 2024 -
Permission granted by Newk's
How Newk’s will help FSC Franchise Co. become a billion-dollar platform
After acquiring Newk’s, the platform owned by Capital Spring aims to add another brand to its portfolio as it tries to double its business.
By Julie Littman • Aug. 21, 2024 -
Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
Suit alleges Boston Market owner Jay Pandya looted Corner Bakery Cafe
Corner Bakery’s new owner, SSCP Restaurant Investors, say Pandya bled the brand dry through cash transfers to his management firm.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 21, 2024 -
Courtesy of Freebird World Burrito
Sun Holdings buys 64-unit Freebirds World Burrito
The Texas-based burrito brand is Sun Holdings’ second purchase of a brand, and proof of its ability to grow as a brand owner, CEO Guillermo Perales said.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 20, 2024 -
Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
Hostmore, TGI Fridays deal delayed
Management says not to expect a Q3 2024 closure, after the companies revised their combined business plan to a full-franchised model.
By Julie Littman • Aug. 9, 2024 -
Permission granted by Rubio's Coastal Grill
Rubio’s accepts $40M sale bid
TREW Capital Management, which is owned by former BBQ Holdings CEO Jeff Crivello, will buy the brand months after acquiring its secured debt.
By Julie Littman • Aug. 1, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Krispy Kreme sells majority stake in Insomnia Cookies for $127M
The doughnut chain, which bought the cookie company in 2018, will use the proceeds of the sale to focus on its core business, expand availability of its products and pay down debt.
By Julie Littman • July 22, 2024 -
Darden to buy Chuy’s for more than $600M
The all-cash transaction will add a Tex-Mex chain to Darden’s portfolio of restaurants, which includes Olive Garden and Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
By Julie Littman • Updated July 17, 2024 -
Permission granted by MOD Pizza
Mod Pizza acquired by Elite Restaurant Group
The transaction comes several months after the chain closed underperforming locations and will help it avoid bankruptcy, which it was reportedly considering.
By Julie Littman • July 10, 2024 -
Bryan Bedder / Stringer via Getty Images
Amex banks on spending at high-end restaurants
Analysts say American Express wants to cash in on the restaurant industry’s success and give customers admission to premium experiences.
By Patrick Cooley • June 27, 2024 -
Moyo Studio via Getty Images
Amex to buy Tock for $400M
American Express said it will buy the reservation platform from website builder Squarespace to buttress its dining digital services.
By Patrick Cooley • June 24, 2024 -
metamorworks via Getty Images
SoundHound AI acquires ordering platform Allset
Allset, a platform designed specifically for pickup orders, will help SoundHound speed up its goal of developing a multi-channel, voice-ordering system.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 20, 2024 -
Permission granted by Clean Juice
Brix plots expansion for newly acquired Clean Juice
The restaurant company plans to improve Clean Juice’s operations, update the menu and add as many as 25 new units by 2025.
By Julie Littman • May 22, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Thai Union to fully divest from Red Lobster by the end of year
The minority owner is engaging with potential buyers after determining Red Lobster’s financial requirements no longer align with its capital allocation plans.
By Julie Littman • May 10, 2024 -
John Hazard and Lisa Burdige
How McDonald’s and Burger King diverge on value-driven messaging
Price-conscious consumers are forcing the QSR giants down different paths around how to advertise value and invest in their marketing.
By Chris Kelly • May 1, 2024 -
Permission granted by Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Tropical Smoothie Cafe sells to Blackstone
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but The Wall Street Journal reports it is worth roughly $2 billion.
By Julie Littman • Updated April 24, 2024 -
Permission granted by Tijuana Flats
Tijuana Flats files for Chapter 11, gains new owners
The fast casual chain also closed 11 restaurants after undergoing a unit-by-unit analysis of financial performance, occupancy costs and market conditions.
By Julie Littman • April 19, 2024 -
Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
4 things to know about TGI Fridays’ acquisition by Hostmore
The chain’s biggest franchisee has been reducing expenses since 2022, which should help the combined company start on stronger financial footing in the U.K.’s public market.
By Julie Littman • April 18, 2024 -
Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
TGI Fridays enters $220M agreement to combine with UK franchisee
The deal with Hostmore, worth over $220 million, will lead to TGI Fridays trading on the London Stock Exchange under “TGIF” symbol.
By Julie Littman • April 16, 2024
