Sponsored By

Naf Naf Grill, investor group buy out Roark ownershipNaf Naf Grill, investor group buy out Roark ownership

Private-equity firm had taken minority stake in fast-casual Middle Eastern concept in 2015

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

March 17, 2021

1 Min Read
Naf Naf Grill buys out Roark investment
Naf Naf Grill and an investor group bought out the minority ownership of Roark Capital.Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill

Naf Naf Grill, the fast-casual Middle Eastern concept, and an investor group have acquired the entire minority ownership in the company previously held by affiliates of Roark Capital Group, the company said Wednesday.

The Chicago-based company did not disclose terms of the deal or the identity of the investor group.

Naf-Naf-CEO-Greg-Willman-200.jpgGreg Willman, left, who was named Naf Naf Grill CEO in May 2020, said in a statement: “I am excited about the future of Naf Naf Grill and want to thank Roark for its support and positive contributions to the company.”

Atlanta-based private-equity Roark Capital Group invested in the concept in 2015.  The brand was named a Nation’s Restaurant News Hot Concept in 2016.

Naf Naf Grill’s website lists 39 locations in eight states, including Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

 

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

 

Subscribe Nation's Restaurant News Newsletters
Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more.

You May Also Like