Financing

Custom-focused concept Stacked acquired by private-equity firms

The emerging chain from the founders of BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse has its sights set on becoming a national brand.
Photograph courtesy of Stacked

The high-tech, highly customizable full-service concept Stacked has been acquired by two private-equity firms, the investors announced Monday.

California-based Stacked, which was founded in 2010 by the creators of BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, currently has just five units in California. But the emerging chain’s leaders hope the majority investment will allow it to expand throughout the country, Paul Motenko, the concept’s co-founder, said in a statement.

“We are partnering with restaurant experts that share our vision for enhancing the full-service dining experience with hospitality-driven personalization,” Motenko said. “Collectively, we’re very excited to continue to build what we believe can be a national brand.”

stacked burger and iPad

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Hargett Hunter, a North Carolina-based private-equity firm which last month invested nearly $3 million in the Bellagreen fast-casual chain, joined forces with private-equity group TriSpan on the Stacked investment.

“Stacked is a differentiated growth brand that successfully pairs approachable, delicious food with a fun dining experience where customers control their interaction with the brand,” Hargett Hunter founder Jeff Brock said in a statement.

At Stacked, which has the tag line “Food well built,” consumers use tablets to customize items such as burgers, pizzas, salads or macaroni and cheese with a wide range of add-ons, from vegetables to proteins and sauces. Restaurants also feature a full bar.

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