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Financing

Chopt acquires Dos Toros to form new holding company

L Catterton will back the venture, which intends to gather growth concepts that are still influenced by their founders.
dos toros carnitas burrito
Photograph courtesy of Chopt Creative Salad Co

The Chopt Creative Salad Co. chain has acquired Dos Toros Taqueria in a deal financed by private-equity firm L Catterton. 

The acquisition price and other terms were not disclosed.

Chopt and Dos Toros are being combined into a new holding company called Founders Table Restaurant Group, which will be backed by Catterton, a major investor in Chopt. The new concern will be headed by Chopt CEO Nick Marsh. 

Chopt’s announcement of the deal indicates future additions to Founders Table will similarly be rapidly expanding chains ready to grow into their next stage of development while remaining true to the vision of their founders. 

The venture sounds similar in some ways to Inspire Brands, a separate operation formed by private-equity firm Roark Capital, though that operation focuses on brands in need of rejuvenation. Its holdings include Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic Drive-In and Jimmy John’s. Inspire is widely believed to be working toward an initial public stock offering.

L Catterton already holds investments in a number of restaurant brands with apparent connections to their founders, including Hopdoddy, Uncle Julio’s and Protein Bar & Kitchen. 

 

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