Restaurants & Hospitality Acquisitions in New Jersey

Pickleball Kingdom, the premier indoor pickleball franchisor, has acquired The Pickle Jar, an eight-court indoor pickleball club at 315 Roycefield Rd in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey. The location will be converted into Pickleball Kingdom Hillsborough and operated by franchisees Yashraj Kurani and Dip Jadawala as part of the brand's ongoing New Jersey expansion.

Thompson Street Capital Partners (TSCP), a St. Louis-based private equity firm, has acquired Bubbakoo's Burritos, a New Jersey-based fast-casual Mexican-fusion franchisor with more than 130 locations across 15 states. TSCP plans to support the brand's next phase of growth by investing in technology, brand development, infrastructure, and franchisee support systems; terms were not disclosed.

Private equity firm Blackstone has agreed to acquire a majority ownership position in Jersey Mike's Subs, with founder and CEO Peter Cancro retaining a significant equity stake and remaining CEO. The partnership is intended to accelerate Jersey Mike's U.S. and international expansion and support investments in technology and digital transformation; the transaction is expected to close in early 2025 pending customary approvals.

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.

Concert Golf Partners has acquired TPC Jasna Polana, a historic 222-acre private golf club and mansion near Princeton, New Jersey, from the Piasecka Johnson family. The club becomes Concert Golf's 34th property and the buyer plans roughly $3 million of investment to preserve and enhance the clubhouse, course and member amenities.

Craveworthy Brands has acquired Sigri Indian BBQ, a fast-casual Indian barbecue concept founded in New Jersey in 2015 by Jagat Parikh. Craveworthy plans to integrate its systems and scale Sigri nationally through franchising; Sigri currently operates two locations in Newark and North Brunswick, New Jersey.

Troon, the Scottsdale-based golf and club management company, has acquired Applied Golf Management, a New Jersey-based golf and hospitality management firm. The deal brings Troon responsibility for Applied Golf's 13 public and private facilities across New York, New Jersey and Florida and expands Troon's management footprint and capabilities in the Northeast.

Garnett Station Partners has recapitalized PJW Restaurant Group, the parent company of P.J. Whelihan's, providing growth capital to support expansion of its 26-restaurant portfolio across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Comvest Credit Partners provided an $80 million senior secured credit facility to support the transaction; financial terms of the recapitalization were not disclosed. Founder Bob Platzer and the current management team are partnering with Garnett Station under the recapitalization agreement.

Tamarix Equity Partners and Pacific General Holdings announced a strategic growth investment in Playa Bowls LLC, the New Jersey-founded healthy fast-casual açaí and smoothie chain. The investment will support Playa Bowls' expansion and franchise growth across the United States and internationally; terms were not disclosed.

An affiliate of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. acquired Howell Ice Arena in Howell, New Jersey. The two-sheet facility expands Black Bear's footprint in the Jersey Shore region as the company continues to grow its network of community ice rinks and youth hockey programming.

City Capital Ventures (CCV) has made a majority investment in Rackson Restaurants, a Bridgewater, New Jersey-based Burger King and Popeyes franchisee operating 55+ quick-service restaurants across six Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. The investment brings an investor group that includes Saxonwold Capital (led by Rob Selati) and will support Rackson's plan to scale as a multi-branded QSR platform across the Northeastern U.S.; MUFG provided senior debt financing.

Fitness Holdings Northeast, a leading Crunch Fitness franchise operator, acquired the Crunch Paramus location in Paramus, New Jersey, closing the deal on October 1, 2019. The acquisition expands Fitness Holdings' portfolio to 22 clubs and supports the group's stated 50-club growth strategy to increase membership and market share in the Northeast.

PF Atlantic, a Planet Fitness franchisee and portfolio company of Monogram Capital Partners, acquired the Falange Planet Fitness franchisee system in New Jersey. Five Points Capital provided unitranche financing to support the transaction, which expands PF Atlantic’s geographic footprint in New Jersey and complements its existing 30-club platform.

NewSpring Mezzanine (NewSpring) and Larsen MacColl Partners completed a growth investment in Turning Point Holding Company, LLC, the Eatontown, New Jersey–based breakfast, brunch and lunch chain. The capital will be used to fund new unit growth and geographic expansion while supporting existing locations; terms were not disclosed.

Tamarix Equity Partners and Pacific General Holdings completed a strategic investment in Playa Bowls LLC to support the fast‑growing healthy‑food franchise. Southfield Mezzanine provided subordinated debt and equity financing to support the transaction; Playa Bowls operates 125+ stores nationwide (majority franchised) and will use the capital to fuel growth and expansion.