Boca’s Sun Capital Partners affiliate buys Smokey Bones
Published December 13th, 2007
By Dale M. King
CITY EDITOR
Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill today, a restaurant chain specializing
in ribs, chicken and barbecue specialties, will be purchased by an
affiliate of Boca Raton-based Sun Capital Partners Inc.
The restaurant will continue operating as Smokey Bones Barbeque &
Grill.
“We’re delighted to add Smokey Bones to our growing portfolio
of restaurant affiliates,” said Anthony Polazzi, vice presidnet
of Sn Capital Partners, Inc.
“Smokey Bones is an exciting concept with the right ingredients
for future growth: high average sales per restaurant, strong restaurant
management teams, established operating systems and a unique barbeque
flavor platform that is growing in popularity.”
Barbeque Integrated Inc., an affiliate of Boca Raton-based Sun Capital,
signed a definitive agreement to purchase the 73-restaurant company
from Darden Restaurants Inc. It will invest expertise and resources
to help position Smokey Bones’ for future expansion in both
existing and new markets.
“We’re pleased to partner with Sun, whose affiliates have
deep operating experience in the restaurant industry,” said
Smokey Bones Chief Executive Officer Ian Baines.
“As a stand-alone company, we’re going to put more sizzle
back into Smokey Bones and get guests fired up about our restaurants,”
he said. “We’ll do that by adding new flavors to our hickory-smoked
barbeque, focusing more on beer and frozen adult beverages, continuing
to improve our service and creating an energetic atmosphere. Our goal
is to become the best barbeque experience in casual dining.”
Sun Capital affiliates have considerable restaurant experience. Sun
affiliates own Boston Market, Friendly Ice Cream, Sweet Tomatoes,
Chevy’s Fresh Mex, Fazoli’s, Bruegger’s and other
restaurant brands.
Together, Sun’s eight restaurant affiliates have more than
2,200 locations and $3.4 billion in sales.
Orlando-based Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill opened in 1999 and
employs 6,000 people in 17 states. The restaurant serves genuine hickory-smoked
barbeque, but in addition, the menu features American fire-grilled
steaks, half-pound Angus burgers, sandwiches and a selection of fresh
salads, fish and chicken entrees.
Dale M. King can be reached at 561-549-0832 or at dking@bocanews.com.
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