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acquisitions

Financing

Krispy Kreme sells its remaining stake in Insomnia Cookies

 By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 10, 2025

The doughnut chain, which is in cost-cutting mode after a tough start to 2025, has sold its remaining interest for $75 million and will use the funds to pay down debt.

Financing

How Dave's Hot Chicken became a $1B brand in 8 years

 By Jonathan Maze and Lisa Jennings on Jun. 06, 2025

The Week in Restaurants: This week’s restaurant news discussion podcast features a look at the sale of the chicken chain to Roark Capital, and a discussion of McDonald’s Snack Wrap.

Financing

Eegee's emerges from bankruptcy after sale to lender Gladstone Capital Corp.

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 04, 2025

The fast-casual sandwich chain plans to move forward with its remaining 25 units that are open and "stable" under the new ownership as the bankruptcy winds down.

Emerging Brands

Bonrue Bakery acquired by Savory Fund

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 04, 2025

The three-unit Utah-based bakery-cafe chain brings fine-dining-level talent into a scalable concept known for speed of service.

Financing

Dave's Hot Chicken provides Roark Capital with some needed growth

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 04, 2025

The Bottom Line: More than half of the private-equity firm’s restaurant chains shrunk last year, including Arby’s, Subway and Sonic. And only six of its chains, not counting Dave’s, grew more than average.

Financing

Roark Capital gobbles up another restaurant chain

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 03, 2025

The Bottom Line: The private-equity firm just bought its 21st restaurant chain in Dave’s Hot Chicken. It remains a close second to giant McDonald’s in terms of total sales. When will it exit an investment?

Financing

CapitalSpring may get involved in an El Pollo Loco sale

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 02, 2025

The private-equity firm has taken a stake in the chicken chain and the two are talking about a “potential extraordinary transaction” as an investor or financier, increasing the chances of a sale.

Financing

Roark Capital acquires Dave's Hot Chicken for $1B and eyes international growth

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 02, 2025

The fast-casual chain went from parking-lot popup to 10-digit deal in eight years. As the "rock star" in the private-equity firm's deep restaurant portfolio, Dave's executives say they are driving toward a potential IPO.

Operations

Why Dave's Hot Chicken wants to be the next Wingstop

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 02, 2025

As the fast-casual Dave's moves into its next level of growth with a $1 billion private-equity deal, some see an IPO in its future. But can the chain maintain the magic that brought it this far?

Financing

Taco Bell-owner Yum Brands is open to more acquisitions

By Jonathan Maze on May 29, 2025

The fast-food restaurant chain operator said it keeps its “eyes open” to buy another chain, arguing that its size and scale matter more than ever. But it would be “very selective.”

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