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Private-equity firm acquires Gigi’s CupcakesPrivate-equity firm acquires Gigi’s Cupcakes

Fort Worth-based FundCorp also owns Gatti’s Pizza

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

June 2, 2016

1 Min Read
Private-equity firm acquires Gigi’s Cupcakes
Gigi's Cupcakes

FundCorp Inc., a private-equity group, has acquired Gigi’s Cupcakes LLC of Nashville, Tenn., the companies announced Thursday.

Terms of the deal with an affiliate of Fort Worth, Texas-based FundCorp were not disclosed. FundCorp’s Sovrano LLC affiliate last June bought the Mr. Gatti’s LP, a limited-service pizza company based in Austin, Texas.

FundCorp named Judy Renfrow, formerly of In the Dough Bakery, as president and chief operating officer of Gigi’s Cupcakes, which franchises about 100 units nationwide. She succeeds A. Chad Fitzhugh, who was president and chief financial officer, and Sonny Moore, who chief operating officer and chief supply chain officer.

[CHARTBEAT:3]

Fitzhugh has left the company, and Moore will remain as a supply chain consultant, a company spokesman said.

GiGi’s Cupcakes was founded in 2008 by entrepreneur Gina “Gigi” Butler as a local boutique bakery in Nashville, offering cupcakes, cakes, cookies and other baked goods.

Photo: Gigi's Cupcakes

“We are excited that we have found the perfect partner to lead Gigi’s through its next phase of growth,” said Butler, who will remain as a spokeswoman for the brand, in a statement.

“Sales are at an all-time high and we have new franchisees interested in joining our family,” Butler added, “so it was critical that we find someone that not only had the resources and the expertise to take Gigi’s to the next level, but also reflected our Christian values.”

Michael Poates, vice chairman of FundCorp, said Gigi’s was the type of investment his company was seeking.

“It’s a strong brand with tremendous goodwill among their franchise community that we can leverage into an aggressive franchise expansion initiative,” Poates said.

Gigi’s has franchised locations in 24 states.

Contact Ron Ruggles 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

 

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