QSR Automations, a provider of digital kitchen display systems to chains like The Cheesecake Factory and Chili’s, has a new owner.
Tech-focused private-equity firm Battery Ventures made a strategic majority investment in the company with plans to accelerate its growth. The dollar amount of the investment was not disclosed.
QSR is also naming Battery Executive-in-Residence Robbie Payne as its new CEO. Payne has been an executive at several software companies. QSR’s current CEO, Angela Leet, will join the company’s board.
Louisville, Kentucky-based QSR is one of the biggest KDS suppliers in the restaurant industry. Twenty-one of the 25 largest casual-dining chains in the U.S. use its ConnectSmart digital kitchen system, which allows restaurants to eliminate paper tickets and is designed to improve order accuracy and efficiency.
“QSR Automations has built an impressive platform that we feel provides a critical service to restaurant operators worldwide,” said Battery General Partner Morad Elhafed in a statement. “We see a unique opportunity to build on their success and are thrilled to partner with such an innovative team to help drive the next phase of growth.”
Boston-based Battery was founded in 1983 and invests globally in tech companies of all kinds, including restaurant tech companies. Past investments in the restaurant space include Olo, Crunchtime and Vita Mojo.
QSR will continue to operate under its existing brand name and there will be no immediate changes to its day-to-day operations, the companies said.
It’s the second big restaurant tech acquisition in two weeks. Last week, loyalty provider Paytronix was acquired by U.K.-based software company The Access Group.
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