The Top 7 Mergers and Acquisitions of 2015

NRD Capital purchases Frisch’s In perhaps the year’s most widely talked about acquisition, NRD Capital made a bold move and acquired the publicly traded Frisch’s Restaurants, a 121-unit Cincinnati-based brand, for approximately $175 million. NRD Capital is the first franchisee-sponsored and managed investment fund focused on investing in and accelerating the growth of brands. For more information on NRD Capital, click here.

Kahala Brands purchases Maui Wowi, Planet Smoothie and Tasti D-Lite

Kahala Brands is making moves in the frozen treats space with a recent purchase of Denver-based Maui Waui. This move comes on the heels of the purchase of Planet Smoothie and Tasti D-Lite earlier this year. Maui Wowi has 200 franchisees who operate 400 mobile carts and 29 standalone shops, while Planet Smoothie and Tasti D-Lite have over 100 units combined. Monetary terms of the deal were not disclosed.

H.I.G. Capital LLC acquires T-Bird

H.I.G. Capital, a private equity firm with more than $19 billion of equity capital under their management, acquired T-Bird. T-Bird operates 63 Outback Steakhouse locations and is the exclusive franchisee for the brand in California. Monetary terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Centre Lane Partners LLC acquires Saladworks

A restaurant and franchise staple, Saladworks was purchased by New York-based Centre Lane Partners. Centre Lane's investment portfolio primarily includes middle market companies in industries ranging from packaging to consumer products manufacturing, franchising and global aviation services. Monetary terms of the deal were not disclosed.

7-Eleven acquires Tedeschi Food Shops

In August, 7-Eleven made a big move in the food space by acquiring Tedeschi Food Shops, a Massachusetts based chain with approximately 180 locations. There are already 150 7-Eleven locations in the area. As more brands continue to look at nontraditional spaces, like convenience stores, it will be interesting to see how big players fit into this puzzle. Monetary terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Sentinel Capital Partners acquires Fazoli’s Group, Inc.

In July, Sentinel Capital Partners announced the acquisition of Fazoli’s Group, Inc., a franchisor and operator of 213 Fazoli’s restaurants in the United States. Headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, Fazoli’s is an Italian fast casual dining concept and was named one of Franchise Business Review’s “Top 40 Food Franchises” in 2015.

Brinker International Acquires 103 Franchised Chili's Restaurants

Brinker International (NYSE: EAT) announced the acquisition of Pepper Dining Holding Corp., in June 2015. Pepper Dining Holding Corp. is a franchisee group of 103 Chili's restaurants, primarily located in the Northeast and Southeast. The purchase price of the deal was listed at $106.5 million.