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MTY to acquire The Counter, Built Custom Burgers parentMTY to acquire The Counter, Built Custom Burgers parent

Montreal-based firm expands growing restaurant portfolio with burger brands

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

November 14, 2017

1 Min Read
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MTY Food Group Inc., owner of Kahala Brands, has agreed to acquire the parent of The Counter and Built Custom Burgers brands, the Montreal-based company said Tuesday.

Terms of MTY’s planned acquisition of The Counter’s Culver City, Calif.-based parent, CB Franchise Systems LLC, were not disclosed.

“Since the acquisition of Kahala Brands in July 2016, MTY has been seeking potential additions to its strong portfolio of brands,” said Stanley Ma, MTY CEO and chairman, in a statement. “The Counter and Built fit that perfectly.”

The Counter and Built Custom Burgers have 41 franchised locations and three corporate-owned locations. Of those 44 restaurants, 34 are in the U.S., one is in Canada and nine are in other countries.

MTY said over the last 12 months, the combined Counter and Built networks generated more than $81 million in sales systemwide.

The company said the deal will be financed with cash on hand and through existing credit facilities.

MTY bought multibrand franchisor Kahala Corp. in May 2016 in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $300 million. That added such brands as Blimpie, Cold Stone Creamery, Frullati Café & Bakery, Planet Smoothie, Pinkberry and Tasti D-Lite to MTY’s portfolio. 

In September 2016, MTY expanded its brands by buying BF Acquisition Holdings LLC, owner of Baja Fresh Mexican Grill and La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill, for $27 million.

Currently, MTY operates about 60 brands across various segments in the U.S., Canada and abroad.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

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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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