Switchback Capital Acquires Smokey Mo's TX BBQ

Western Smokehouse Partners Acquires Junior's Smokehouse

February 5, 2026

Food & Beverage

Western Smokehouse Partners, a producer of premium better-for-you meat snacks, acquired Junior's Smokehouse, a Texas-based handcrafted jerky and meat products manufacturer. The deal expands Western’s national footprint and adds manufacturing capacity and product capabilities, with plans to build a second facility near Junior's in El Campo, Texas.

Monogram Capital Partners Reacquires Western Smokehouse Partners

July 9, 2025

Food & Beverage

Monogram Capital Partners has reacquired Western Smokehouse Partners from AUA Private Equity, taking majority ownership of the leading contract manufacturer of better-for-you meat sticks. Monogram — which first invested in Western in 2018 and retained a minority stake after the 2023 sale to AUA — plans to expand Western's capacity to seven facilities by the end of 2025; terms were not disclosed.

FAT Brands Acquires Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill

September 25, 2023

Restaurants & Hospitality

FAT Brands Inc. has acquired the Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill restaurant chain from an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners for $30 million. The purchase adds 61 corporate Smokey Bones locations across 16 states, is expected to increase adjusted EBITDA by about $10 million, and expands FAT Brands' polished dining portfolio.

AUA Private Equity Partners Acquires Western Smokehouse Partners

May 17, 2023

Food & Beverage

AUA Private Equity Partners has acquired Western Smokehouse Partners from Charis Consumer Collaborative, marking Charis’ realization of its investment. During Charis’ ownership Western expanded through facility investments and add-on deals (Thrushwood Farms, Prairie Sky Snacks), growing headcount from about 60 to over 400 and operating multiple manufacturing sites out of Galesburg, Illinois.

AUA Private Equity Partners Acquires Western Smokehouse Partners

March 27, 2023

Food & Beverage

AUA Private Equity Partners has acquired Western Smokehouse Partners, a leading contract manufacturer of premium, better-for-you smoked meat snacks, from Monogram Capital Partners. The deal (terms undisclosed) will see AUA support Western's growth and capability expansion across its multi-facility Midwest manufacturing footprint.

MTY Food Group Acquires BBQ Holdings

September 28, 2022

Restaurants & Hospitality

MTY Food Group Inc. completed its acquisition of BBQ Holdings, Inc. for US$17.25 per share in cash, valuing the deal at about US$200 million (including net debt). BBQ Holdings became an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of MTY, and its support center will remain in Minnetonka, Minnesota.