ZOE’S KITCHEN acquired by CAVA GROUP

Durational Capital Management LP and The Jordan Company, L.P. agreed to acquire Bojangles. The board approved the transaction after reviewing strategic alternatives, and the company was expected to remain an independent private business based in Charlotte, North Carolina following closing, which was targeted for the first quarter of 2019. The strategic rationale centered on Bojangles’ strong regional brand equity, its loyal Southern consumer base, and the opportunity to support a proven quick-service platform facing same-store sales pressure and competitive intensity

Focus Brands completed its acquisition of Jamba in September 2018 following a tender offer for all outstanding shares. The deal was initially announced in August 2018 and closed after a majority of Jamba shares were tendered, with the remaining shares acquired through merger under Delaware law. Jamba became a wholly owned subsidiary of Focus Brands and continued to operate as an independent brand within the group. The strategic logic was to add a premium beverage and lifestyle concept to Focus Brands' portfolio and strengthen its position across snack and restaurant occasions

European restaurant operator AmRest has completed the acquisition of Sushi Shop Group, a prominent sushi restaurant chain with a significant presence in France. This transaction is part of AmRest's broader European expansion strategy, aimed at bolstering its position in the food service market. As the owner of KFC, Pizza Hut, and Starbucks franchises in Europe and Russia, AmRest also operates its own brands in Spain and France. Sushi Shop, headquartered in Paris, has a footprint in 11 countries, including Spain, the UK, and Italy, with 165 locations, of which approximately one-third are operated by franchisees

Kharis Capital has acquired a majority stake in O'Tacos Corporation, alongside the company's historical founders who will retain operational involvement in the management of the group. This transaction is part of a strategy to accelerate the development of the network, with the goal of supporting growth in France and, more importantly, driving the brand's international expansion. The entry of Kharis Capital enables O'Tacos to leverage the expertise of a specialized investor in the organized restaurant sector, with a proven track record in developing large-scale quick-service restaurant networks across Europe

JAB acquired a majority stake in Pret A Manger from Bridgepoint and other minority shareholders in May 2018. The transaction value the company above £1.0b including debt, with Pret shareholders and employees benefiting from the change in ownership. The deal followed more than a decade of Bridgepoint ownership and gave JAB control of one of the U.K.'s best-known ready-to-eat food chains. The strategic rationale was to add a premium, high-frequency food and coffee brand to JAB's expanding consumer platform

Equistone Partners Europe finalized the acquisition of a majority stake in the Karavel-Promovacances and Fram groups from LBO France. The transaction was structured through a €30 million investment, providing the group with the strategic liquidity required to complete its financial recovery. This transaction represents a strategic transition from one financial sponsor to another, avoiding a trade sale to an industrial giant that might have triggered heavy restructuring. The deal involves significant management reinvestment, with the co-founders and CFO maintaining a key role in the capital structure

Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP) acquired a 40% minority stake in European Camping Group from Montefiore Investment and the management team. Montefiore Investment, which originally took the company private in 2014, remains the majority shareholder. This partnership aims to provide ECG with the long-term capital necessary to accelerate its international build-up strategy and consolidate its leadership position in the fragmented European campsite market.

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

Arby's Restaurant Group completed the acquisition of Buffalo Wild Wings and simultaneously launched Inspire Brands as a new multi-brand restaurant platform. Following closing, Buffalo Wild Wings continued to operate as an independent brand within the Inspire structure, with its management team remaining in place to support continuity and execution. The strategic rationale was to create a diversified restaurant company with scale across multiple occasions and channels, rather than relying on a single concept

Permira acquired a controlling stake in La Piadineria from the specialized fund Idea Taste of Italy (managed by Dea Capital Alternative Funds). The high valuation reflects the intense competition during the auction (bidders included Bain, Carlyle and L Catterton). The seller reinvested to keep a minority stake (10%) alongside the management team. The deal aims to accelerate store openings in Italy and establish a presence in European markets, starting with France (Nice and Marseille).