Financing

2 burger brands swallowed by mega-franchisor

A Montreal-based franchisor of more than 48 quick-service restaurant brands has added two more to the fold: The Counter, a better-burger concept, and the similar Built Custom Burgers operation.

MTY Food Group said it bought the concepts outright through an affiliate, but did not divulge the purchase prices. Together, it said, The Counter and Built consist of 44 locations, 41 of which are franchised.

MTY noted that 34 of the restaurants are located in the United States.

The deal is the latest acquisition by MTY, whose other purchases include Kahala Brands, franchisor of Cold Stone CreameryPinkberry and America’s Taco Shop.

“Since the acquisition of Kahala Brands in July 2016, MTY has been seeking potential additions to its strong portfolio of brands,” MTY CEO and founder Stanley Ma said in the announcement of the deal. “The Counter and Built fit that perfectly.”

MTY’s other brands include Manchu Wok, Taco Time and Yogen Fruz.

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