Experts school prospective players on how to succeed with growth-minded investors.

Garbanzo has garnered investment capital from the private-equity firm

Restaurants offer drink specials for Wall Street volatility

Restaurant securities analysts pull back on projections after market volatility

Amount is higher than company's May estimate

The recent spate of private-equity acquisitions has analysts wondering if industry fundamentals warrant this renewed interest, or if other factors are at work.

Private-equity firm also owns On The Border and Macaroni Grill

Sbarro Inc. is exploring options instead of continuing with bankruptcy proceedings.

Company seeks up to $400 million in initial public offering

Commercial insurance agent, Maria Vicari, suggests "safety groups" as an insurance option

For years any news story covering a private-equity deal in foodservice most likely included Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co., Sun Capital Partners Inc., or Thomas H. Lee Partners. 
Fast-forward 10 years from now, and a new crop of funds may be leading the pack. Several young private-equity companies, such as Rosser Capital Partners, Nourish Capital and D Cubed Group LLC, are zeroing in on restaurant investments.


Less than two months into 2011 and the buyers are busy.
 ... No doubt the already-active acquisition climate will continue, especially as private-equity funds seek returns for their investors. Given that some of the buyers are likely to be relatively new to the restaurant industry, what should they be looking for before buying a restaurant company?