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Açai and smoothie specialist Playa Bowls wins strategic investment from Tamarix Equity Partners and Pacific General HoldingsAçai and smoothie specialist Playa Bowls wins strategic investment from Tamarix Equity Partners and Pacific General Holdings

Deal will fuel growth for the 126-unit New Jersey-based chain

Lisa Jennings, Executive Editor

August 24, 2021

1 Min Read
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Private-equity fund Tamarix Equity Partners and investment firm Pacific General Holdings on Monday announced a strategic investment in the açai bowl and smoothie concept Playa Bowls LLC.

Terms were not disclosed, and Playa Bowls officials did not immediately respond to questions about the investment. The New Jersey-based concept with a surfing theme was founded in Belmar, N.J. and now has more than 126 locations nationwide, most of which are franchised.

Playa Bowls was founded by Robert Giuliani and Abby Taylor, long-time surfers whose travels introduced them to açai or pitaya bowls. The decided to create their own version for the Jersey Shore.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Tamarix and Pacific General to fuel our growth,” said Giuliani, Playa Bowls’ CEO, in a statement. “Their operating skills and financial acumen will help Playa Bowls execute our exciting growth plan and attract more franchisees over the coming years.”

Tamarix is a New York-based private equity firm managed by Mark Hauser and Gary Matthews, focused on investing in lower middle market businesses. Pacific General Holdings, with offices in New York and Seoul, focuses on assisting U.S.-based businesses to expand international markets to Asia and the Middle East.

Related:Açaí, the superfood berry of South America

Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected]

Follow her on Twitter: @livetodineout

 

About the Author

Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality

Lisa Jennings is executive editor of Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She joined the NRN staff as West Coast editor in 2004 as a veteran journalist. Before joining NRN, she spent 11 years at The Commercial Appeal, the daily newspaper in Memphis, Tenn., most recently as editor of the Food and Health & Wellness sections. Prior experience includes staff reporting for the Washington Business Journal and United Press International.

Lisa’s areas of expertise include coverage of both large public restaurant chains and small independents, the regulatory and legal landscapes impacting the industry overall, as well as helping operators find solutions to run their business better.

Lisa Jennings’ experience:

Executive editor, NRN (March 2020 to present)

Executive editor, Restaurant Hospitality (January 2018 to present)

Senior editor, NRN (September 2004 to March 2020)

Reporter/editor, The Commercial Appeal (1990-2001)

Reporter, Washington Business Journal (1985-1987)

Contact Lisa Jennings at:

[email protected]

@livetodineout

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-jennings-83202510/

 

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