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03/2018

QDOBA RESTAURANT acquired by APOLLO GLOBAL MANAGEMENT

UNITED STATES Hospitality & Leisure / Hospitality / Restaurants / Chains EV 300M - 700M USD

Context

Apollo Global Management completed its acquisition of Qdoba Restaurant Corp. from Jack in the Box in March 2018 after a definitive agreement announced in December 2017. The all-cash transaction valued the fast-casual Mexican chain at a significant premium and was funded by Apollo funds, with Qdoba becoming a privately held portfolio company after closing. Jack in the Box used the proceeds to reduce debt and further shift toward a more capital-light business model centered on its core burger brand. he strategic rationale was to separate Qdoba from Jack in the Box and give the chain a dedicated owner focused on its next phase of growth. Qdoba brought a recognizable Mexican fast-casual concept with more than 700 restaurants, strong systemwide sales, and a large footprint across the U.S. and Canada. Apollo saw an opportunity to support the brand through operational investment, menu development, franchise expansion, and improved positioning in a highly competitive category. At the time, Qdoba was the second-largest fast-casual Mexican chain in the United States, but it had been under pressure from weaker same-store sales, creating a clear case for active ownership and performance improvement.

QDOBA RESTAURANT, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2018, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, a level to compare with the average currently observed in the Retail & Consumer sector (11.0x).

Note that this data is based on contribution from our growing community, composed of M&A and Private Equity professionals, and has been verified by our team to ensure its accuracy.

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Target

Qdoba Restaurant Corp. is a U.S.-based fast-casual Mexican restaurant chain headquartered in San Diego, California, United States. The brand specializes in customizable burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas, salads, and nachos prepared with fresh ingredients and made-to-order proteins, salsas, guacamole, and toppings. Qdoba built its concept around convenience and personalization, offering customers a highly flexible menu in a fast-casual setting that combines counter service with broad daypart appeal. The brand had also established strong consumer recognition as a Chipotle alternative, with a focus on flavor variety and menu customization. Qdoba's model centered on franchising and company-operated restaurants, giving it a mixed footprint and a scalable system. Revenue came from restaurant sales, franchise royalties, and related fees.

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Historical Financials (USD)

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REFERENCES

Valuation range: EV 300M - 700M USD

Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of QDOBA RESTAURANT by APOLLO GLOBAL MANAGEMENT are reserved for mynth community members. Register for free to unlock full data.

Authors: verified mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).

Target: qdoba restaurant

Acquirer: apollo global management