Sentinel Capital Partners , a private equity firm that invests in promising lower middle market companies, announced today that it has acquired Huddle House, a 400-unit full-service family restaurant chain well-known for serving “Any Meal. Any Time.” in small communities around the country. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The acquisition comes after significant same-store sales increases for Huddle House of 7.9 percent in Q4 and 7.2 percent in Q1.
Huddle House was founded in 1964 with a focus on serving quality food in a warm, friendly environment that brings the community together. Typically open 24-hours, Huddle House serves breakfast, lunch and dinner all day. In 2011, Huddle House implemented a new and fresh design with flexible seating so even larger groups can come and enjoy “Our House.”
“As a veteran leader in family dining segment, Huddle House has continued to grow and produce consistent results,” said John McCormack, Co-Founder of and Senior Partner at Sentinel. “Huddle House has positioned itself to continue its growth with both current and future customers, as well as franchise owners. “
Sentinel Capital Partner’s acquisition of Huddle House joins a franchise portfolio that includes Interim Healthcare Holdings, Inc., the nation’s largest provider of home healthcare and supplemental healthcare staffing services; Massage Envy, LLC, the biggest provider and franchisor of therapeutic massage services in the country; and Southern California Pizza Company, LLC, a franchisee of Pizza Hut, Inc. that owns and operates more than 225 restaurants in the greater Los Angeles market.
Huddle House CEO, Ken Keymer, said that the depth of experience and commitment to grow made Sentinel Capital Partners the right fit.
“Sentinel Capital Partners showed a true commitment to the future of the brand. Their leadership team understands restaurants and franchising, which will be beneficial to the future growth of Huddle House,” Keymer said.
April 7, 2012