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BurgerFi, Opes Acquisition plan to take brand publicBurgerFi, Opes Acquisition plan to take brand public

125-unit fast-casual concept signs letter of intent with blank-check company

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

June 8, 2020

2 Min Read
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Opes Acquisition Corp., a publicly traded blank check company, and BurgerFi International have agreed to a merger that would take the North Palm Beach, Fla.-based “better burger” brand to the public markets, the companies said Monday.

Under terms of the non-binding letter of intent, BurgerFi’s shares would be rolled over into a majority of the equity in the combined public company.

BurgerFi, founded in 2011, is a fast-casual “better burger” concept with about 125 company-owned and franchised locations in 23 states and two countries abroad.

Opes and BurgerFi said they intend to execute a definitive agreement by the end of June, with a closing expected in the third quarter of 2020. The transaction must be approved by the two companies’ board,...

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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