A controlling stake in the Back Yard Burgers better-burgers concept has been acquired by Axum Capital Partners, the private-equity firm affiliated with restaurant veteran Edna Morris and former pro-football player Muhsin Muhammad.
The purchase price and other terms were not disclosed.
Back Yard currently extends to 55 locations, including 23 company-operated units, across 11 states. The chain specializes in chargrilled Angus beef burgers. The brand was started in 1987 by Lattimore Michael.
Axum owns a majority interest in one other restaurant chain, Wild Wing Cafe, a sports bar concept acquired in 2012. The firm is based in Charlotte, N.C. It was started by Morris, Muhammad and other partners to specialize in restaurants.
Back Yard is led by CEO David McDougall. “David and his team have made great strides and we are pleased to support their next phase of growth,” said Morris, a longtime veteran of the Hardee’s chain. “The better-burger category remains strong, and Back Yard Burgers is poised for growth.”
Morris is a former president of Red Lobster and served on an interim basis as head of the James Beard Foundation.
Muhammad was a former wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears NFL teams.
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