Modern Market Eatery has a new owner.
Thrive Restaurant Group, which in 2022 became the first franchisee of the Modern Market brand, has now become the owner, having acquired the 29-unit chain from private-equity firm Butterfly Equity, Thrive announced this month.
Terms were not disclosed, but the deal brings 24 Modern Market units, and five licensed locations, across seven states into the Thrive portfolio.
Thrive is also a large Applebee’s franchisee and earlier this year announced plans to open 30 franchised Qdoba units in the Carolinas by 2028.
Denver-based Modern Market was a sister brand to the 750-unit Qdoba, which Butterfly still owns. Modern Market, and then-sister-brand Lemonade, had merged with Qdoba under Butterfly in 2019. The parent company for the three brands was Modern Restaurant Concepts, and former Applebee’s president John Cywinski was named CEO last year.
Months later, however, Butterfly sold off the 20-unit Lemonade chain. (The buyer was not disclosed, but it is rumored to have been Elite Restaurant Group, which also recently bought Mod Pizza.)
At the time, Cywinski, who is a big believer in the asset-light franchising model, said the company planned to refranchise the company-owned Modern Market locations.
Rather than refranchise, however, it appears Butterfly Equity decided to sell the chain.
Thrive officials did not immediately respond to a request for more information.
It’s not clear whether the Wichita, Kansas-based Thrive plans to franchise the Modern Market brand, but more growth is planned.
“We have believed in Modern Market and its people since we first had the opportunity to become a franchisee,” said Thrive CEO Jon Rolph, in a statement. “The culinary innovation focused on fresh, healthy options is positioned to become a leader in this space. We are excited to welcome the Modern team into Thrive, believing this brand has a very bright future and to help write the next chapter in the story to bring clean, nourishing and delicious food to our guests across the country.”
Modern Market was founded in 2009 by Anthony Pigliacampo and Rob McColgan. The fast-casual brand is known for its fresh, from-scratch menu across three dayparts.
With the deal, Robin Robinson, previously chief operating officer, was promoted to president of the Modern Market brand, and she will also oversee HomeGrown Kitchen, an 11-unit sister brand under Thrive that offers breakfast, lunch and brunch. Thrive also owns the dessert and bakery brand Bake Sale.
Thrive had already purchased three Modern Market units in Austin, Texas, and had built two units in Kansas City.
Following the deal, Thrive now operates 194 restaurants in 19 states across its six brands.
Thrive has made other executive changes in recent months.
Greg Stroud, previously CFO, has been named president of Thrive, and Mike Coffey, previously Thrive’s COO, is now president in charge of the company’s franchise business, which includes the Applebee’s, Qdoba and the Mexican concept Carlos O’Kelly’s.
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