Focus Brands
Focus Brands is an American company that is an affiliate of the American private equity firm Roark Capital Group that currently owns the Schlotzsky's, Carvel, Cinnabon, Moe's Southwest Grill, McAlister's Deli, Auntie Anne's and Jamba brands. It is located in Sandy Springs, Georgia, and operates over 5,000 stores.
 | |
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurants |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people | Jim Holthouser (CEO)
|
| Parent | Roark Capital Group |
| Subsidiaries | Auntie Anne's Carvel Cinnabon Jamba Juice McAlister's Deli Moe's Southwest Grill Schlotzsky's |
| Website | www |
History
Focus Brands began as a holding company for Carvel Corporation after Roark Capital bought controlling interest in the ice cream franchisor from Investcorp in November, 2001.
Roark purchased Cinnabon and the international operations of Seattle's Best Coffee from AFC Enterprises in November 2004, combining the three brands under its Focus Brands affiliate.[1] Focus Brands purchased Schlotzsky's from Bobby Cox Companies in 2006, less than two years after Bobby Cox had purchased the brand from bankruptcy.
On August 11, 2007, Focus Brands announced that it purchased the Moe's Southwest Grill brand from Raving Brands.[2]
In October 2010, Focus Brands acquired the mostly mall-based franchiser Auntie Anne's, a maker of pretzels.[3]
In June 2017, Kat Cole was named Chief Operating Officer.[4]
On August 2, 2018, Focus Brands announced that it would acquire Frisco, Texas based smoothie-maker Jamba, formerly known as Jamba Juice.[5] The acquisition was completed on September 14, 2018.[6]
In February 2020, Jim Holthouser was named Chief Executive Officer.[7]
References
- "COMPANY NEWS; FOCUS BRANDS TO BUY CINNABON FROM AFC ENTERPRISES". The New York Times. September 9, 2004. Retrieved July 1, 2009.
- Minnick, Fred (April 11, 2007). "FOCUS Brands Buys Moe's Southwest Grill". QSR Magazine.
- "Focus Brands Buys Auntie Anne's". QSR. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
- "Kat Cole named COO, President North America at FOCUS Brands". bizjournals.com. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
- Garrett, Arnessa; Robinson-Jacobs, Karen (August 2, 2018). "Frisco-based Jamba Juice to be bought by Atlanta operator of Schlotzsky's". Dallas News. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
- "Focus Brands completes $200m acquisition of smoothie chain Jamba Juice". Verdict Foodservice. September 14, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
- "FOCUS Brands Taps Hilton Exec as Next CEO". QSR magazine. Retrieved February 2, 2021.