Restaurants & Hospitality Acquisitions in Missouri

First Watch Restaurant Group (NASDAQ: FWRG) acquired three franchise-owned First Watch restaurants and associated development rights in Missouri — the Lee's Summit location and two Columbia-area locations (West Columbia and South Columbia). The restaurants will be converted to company-owned units as part of First Watch's ongoing growth strategy; financial terms were not disclosed.

St. Louis-based catering and events operator Butler's Pantry has acquired the family of brands owned by 23 City Blocks Hospitality Group, including The Caramel Room, 23 City Blocks Catering and Lumen. The deal accompanies Butler's Pantry's expansion of venue offerings — including new locations 18Rails at City Foundry STL and The Reverie at The District in Chesterfield — and the company said it retained a number of employees from the acquired business.

Copley Equity Partners has made a significant minority investment in Upper Crust Food Service, a Columbia, Missouri–based contract food service provider focused on sorority and fraternity houses and summer camps. Terms were not disclosed; the capital will support growth following Upper Crust's recent merger with College Chefs and its service footprint of more than 400 locations.

Bluegreen/Big Cedar Vacations LLC, a joint venture between Bluegreen Vacations Holding Corporation and Bass Pro Shops, has acquired Branson Cedars Resort in Ridgedale, Missouri. The approximately 80-acre property adjoins the Wilderness Club at Big Cedar Resort and will be renovated and master-planned for additional vacation ownership units and expanded amenities to grow Bluegreen's footprint in the Branson area.

Chartwells Higher Education, a division of Compass Group, has acquired Fresh Ideas, a Columbia, Missouri–based foodservice management company. The deal expands Chartwells' regional footprint in campus dining while allowing Fresh Ideas to continue operating under its existing brand and leadership with access to Chartwells' broader tools and resources.