Flynn Group Acquires 13 Panera Bread Cafés from Blue Ridge Bread Inc.

Ampex Brands Acquires Au Bon Pain from ABP Corporation (Panera Bread)

June 30, 2021

Restaurants & Hospitality

Ampex Brands, a large Yum! and 7‑Eleven franchisee based in Richardson, Texas, acquired Au Bon Pain from ABP Corporation, a subsidiary of Panera Bread. The deal (closed June 29) brings 171 Au Bon Pain locations into the Ampex portfolio, grants franchising rights to an additional 131 locations, and transitions Ampex into a franchisor role as it seeks to reopen, stabilize and expand the legacy bakery-café brand.

Flynn Group Acquires 32 Wendy's Restaurants in Indianapolis

November 21, 2024

Restaurants & Hospitality

Flynn Group LP, a San Francisco-based multi-brand franchise operator, acquired 32 Wendy's units in the Indianapolis, Indiana area. The deal increases Flynn’s domestic Wendy's footprint and brings roughly 40% of the brand’s local presence under Flynn as the company looks to realize operational efficiencies and drive growth in the market.

Tailwind Concessions Acquires Panera Bread Concession from Kind Hospitality at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport

March 24, 2025

Restaurants & Hospitality

Tailwind Hospitality (dba Tailwind Concessions) acquired the Panera Bread concession at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport from Kind Hospitality, making Tailwind the majority owner and primary operator of all food & beverage concessions at the airport. The deal expands Tailwind's airport footprint and follows a 2021 recapitalization of Tailwind by Palladin Consumer Retail Partners, which has supported the company's broader growth and M&A activity.

Café Valley Acquires Freed's Bakery

January 5, 2023

Food & Beverage

Café Valley Inc., an Swander Pace Capital portfolio company, acquired the assets of Freed's Bakery, a manufacturer of iced mini cupcakes that supplies national and regional retailers. The deal is an add-on acquisition intended to expand Café Valley's product offering in mini iced cupcakes, drive synergies and economies of scale across its bakery platform.

Azalea Capital Acquires Virginia Food Group

November 18, 2024

Food & Beverage

Azalea Capital has acquired Virginia Food Group (VFG), owner of brands including Virginia Diner, Feridies, The Peanut Shop of Williamsburg, and Red Rocker Candy. Farragut Capital Partners provided senior subordinated debt and equity alongside NewSpring Capital and Salem Investment Partners to support the acquisition, with Atlantic Union Bank providing senior debt financing.

Forward Consumer Partners Acquires Firehook Bakery

April 15, 2024

Food & Beverage

Forward Consumer Partners has acquired Firehook Bakery, a fast-growing artisan baking company known for organic sourdough breads and the #1 brand of artisanal crackers in the U.S. Founder Pierre Abushacra retains a significant minority stake and Balance Point provided debt financing to support the transaction; Forward appointed Maura Mottolese as CEO to lead the next growth phase.