WOWorks (Saladworks' Parent) Acquires Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and Frutta Bowls

WOWorks (Centre Lane) Acquires The Simple Greek

March 11, 2021

Restaurants & Hospitality

WOWorks, the multi-brand parent company owned by Centre Lane Partners, has acquired The Simple Greek, a 24-unit fast-casual Greek restaurant franchise founded by Marcus Lemonis. The acquisition adds The Simple Greek to WOWorks' portfolio alongside Saladworks, Frutta Bowls and Garbanzo, supporting the platform's growth and non-traditional channel expansion.

WOWorks Acquires Barberitos Southwestern Grille and Zoup! Eatery

May 12, 2022

Restaurants & Hospitality

WOWorks, the Centre Lane Partners–owned holding company of better-for-you fast-casual brands, has acquired Barberitos Southwestern Grille and Zoup! Eatery. The acquisitions add two plant-forward, fast-casual franchised concepts to WOWorks’ portfolio to drive growth through shared services, purchasing power and franchise expansion; Zoup! Specialty Products will continue to operate separately under founder Eric Ersher.

Mrs. Gerry's Kitchen (Sequel Holdings) Acquires Garden-Fresh Foods

August 5, 2025

Food & Beverage

Mrs. Gerry's Kitchen, a portfolio company of Sequel Holdings, has acquired Garden-Fresh Foods. Alantra acted as exclusive financial advisor to Garden-Fresh; the family owners (Tom and Vicki Hughes and their sons) and CEO John Colapinto will remain involved after the sale, and the deal brings together two prepared-salad manufacturers to expand scale and capabilities in refrigerated ready-to-eat foods.

Worldwide Produce Acquires Valley Food Services

June 15, 2022

Food & Beverage

Worldwide Produce, a portfolio company of Sole Source Capital, has acquired Valley Food Services, a fresh produce and dairy distributor serving the Coachella Valley. The add-on expands Worldwide Produce's presence in the Coachella Valley and complements its West Coast distribution network; terms were not disclosed.

Sycamore Partners Acquires Playa Bowls

September 3, 2024

Restaurants & Hospitality

Sycamore Partners has acquired Playa Bowls, the rapidly expanding superfruit bowl franchise, from Tamarix Equity Partners and other investors including Pacific General. The transaction gives Sycamore control of the brand as it plans to accelerate franchise growth and open dozens of new locations nationwide; financial terms were not disclosed.

Food Evolution (Akoya Capital) Acquires Fresh & Ready Foods as First Add-on

January 26, 2016

Food & Beverage

Food Evolution LLC, a platform backed by Akoya Capital Partners with partners Balance Point Capital and Plexus Capital, has acquired Fresh & Ready Foods, Inc. as the first add-on to the Food Evolution platform. The transaction expands Food Evolution's geographic footprint and capabilities in the fresh prepared, grab-n-go food category across the Western United States.