Chicken Salad Chick was purchased by multirestaurant-holding private-equity firm Brentwood Associates in a deal announced Monday.
The 137-unit fast-casual chain, known for its creative riffs on chicken salad and Southern-style fare, was formerly held by Eagle Merchant Partners. Chicken Salad Chick CEO Scott Deviney will remain the chain’s leader.
Details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Los Angeles-based Brentwood Associates, known for investing in category-defining brands with high consumer loyalty, is also an investor in fast-growing Blaze Pizza, as well as plant-based Veggie Grill and the casual-dining concept Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar. In 2017, the firm closed on a $1 billion fund.
“We are very excited to partner with Brentwood on the next chapter for Chicken Salad Chick,” Deviney said in a statement. “Brentwood’s long track record of working with leading restaurant companies coupled with their understanding of our business objectives and strategy make them the perfect partner for us to continue executing on our robust growth and expansion plan.”
Under its ownership by Eagle Merchant Partners, Auburn, Ala.-based Chicken Salad Chick opened more than 100 new units and posted a sevenfold increase in system sales.
The chain saw sales grow nearly 44% year over year in 2018, with average unit volumes of more than $1.1 million, according to data from RB sister firm Technomic.
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