Recent News and Announcements from Centre Partners
2/23/2005 9:25:04 AM – NEW YORK, Feb 23, 2005 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Centre Partners, a leading middle market private equity firm with offices in New York and Los Angeles, together with Aaron Spencer, the company’s Founder, and management today announced the completion of the acquisition of Boston-based Uno Restaurant Holdings Corporation, a major operator and franchisor of full-service, casual dining restaurants with system wide revenues of nearly $500 million.
There are more than 200 Uno Chicago Grill restaurants, located in 32 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and select international cities. Uno Chicago Grill restaurants serve a wide variety of menu items, including their signature Chicago-style deep dish pizza, ribs, steak, seafood, pasta, salads, chicken and fajitas. In addition, Uno Restaurant Holdings Corporation also operates a rapidly growing consumer foods division.
“We are pleased to announce the close of this transaction,” said David Blatte, Managing Director at Centre Partners. “We look forward to working with Frank Guidara, who recently joined the company as CEO, Aaron Spencer and the Uno management team to nurture and enhance a great company with a strong brand and rich heritage.”
Centre Partners has deep experience investing in consumer businesses, and the firm has invested in such restaurants as Garden Fresh Restaurant Group, which operates under the Sweet Tomatoes and Souplantation brands, The Johnny Rockets Group and Buca di Beppo.
About Centre Partners
Centre Partners, founded in 1986, with offices in New York City and Los Angeles, is a leading private equity firm focused on making investments in middle market companies alongside management teams who have a meaningful economic stakes in the future success of their businesses. Centre Partners and its affiliates have invested over $3 billion of equity capital in more than 80 businesses, with a focus on consumer businesses, including restaurants. The investment will be funded through Centre Partners’ fourth fund which has committed capital of about $780 million. Additional information about Centre Partners is available at http://www.centrepartners.com.
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