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Firebirds Wood Fired Grill acquired by J.H. Whitney Capital PartnersFirebirds Wood Fired Grill acquired by J.H. Whitney Capital Partners

The 48-unit casual restaurant was acquired for an undisclosed amount

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

January 8, 2019

1 Min Read
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Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, a 48-unit “polished-casual” restaurant concept, has been acquired by J.H. Whitney Capital Partners LLC from Angelo, Gordon & Co. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Firebirds' CEO Mark Eason, who will continue on in his current role, said Tuesday that the deal positions the brand for growth in both new and existing markets.

"J.H. Whitney's willingness to invest in the long-term success of our brand and their alignment with our core values make them the ideal partner to help us execute our growth strategy," he said in a statement. "We are very pleased to have J.H. Whitney's experience, resources and team of professionals supporting Firebirds."

The Charlotte, N.C.-based grill restaurant chain — which specializes in steaks, seafood and burgers — was featured in August 2018 as a Next Gen brand by Nation’s Restaurant News for its sales growth and online ordering and digital marketing initiatives. The chain had $161.3 million in systemwide sales and sales growth of 12.1 percent in the fiscal year ended Dec. 2017, according to Nation’s Restaurant News Top 200 data.

"Firebirds is a unique brand that has a distinguished and proven track record of profitability and growth and is run by a management team that is one of the most dynamic in the industry," Paul R. Vigano, J.H. Whitney’s senior managing director said in a statement.

Contact Joanna Fantozzi at [email protected] 

Follow her on Twitter: @JoannaFantozzi 

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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