Zoes Kitchen

Zoës Kitchen is a 20-unit fast casual restaurant chain offering healthy and “craveable” fresh food with a Mediterranean influence.

Engagement Goals

Brookwood was hired by the company to explore the strategic alternatives available to the majority owner and CEO, who is the son of the founders. They wanted liquidity and the opportunity to partner with a group that has the financial resources and industry insight to quickly expand the concept. We contacted both strategic buyers and private equity groups that had significant previous restaurant operating experience.

Engagement Process and Outcomes

Growth-oriented Concept - Zoës' concept of high quality food, extraordinary guest frequency and strong brand loyalty generated compelling financial results.

Brookwood Process - Brookwood contacted both strategic buyers and private equity groups that had significant previous restaurant operating experience.

Excellent Results - Brookwood successfully sold the company to Brentwood Associates, a private equity group with significant industry experience, that partnered with the ex-founder and CEO of a fast growing restaurant chain for this transaction. The company was sold at a very high multiple of trailing EBITDA and with a structure that allowed the seller to retain a minority stake in the company and remain the Chief Executive Officer.