An Affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc. Acquires Fazoli's Restaurants, Inc.
Robert T. Weissmueller Appointed President and CEO Replacing Founder Kuni Toyoda - Fazoli's is One of the Largest Operators of Italian Quick Service Restaurants in the U.S. With 319 Locations in 32 States
Sun Capital Partners, Inc., a leading private investment firm specializing in leveraged buyouts and investments in market-leading companies, today announced that one of its affiliates has acquired Fazoli's Restaurants, Inc.. Fazoli's, one of the largest quick service Italian restaurant chains in the U.S., offers a variety of dishes, including: pastas, sandwiches, pizza, salads, and desserts, as well as its signature all-you-care-to-eat freshly-baked breadsticks. The chain includes 319 restaurants located in 32 states (179 are operated by Fazoli's franchise partners). Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Robert ('Bob') Weissmueller, a 35-year veteran of McDonald's Corporation, will become the president and CEO of Fazoli's, effective immediately, succeeding founder Kuni Toyoda, who is leaving the organization after more than 16 years of service. Weissmueller has had a distinguished career in the restaurant industry, having served in executive management positions with McDonald's Corporation since 1971. His positions with McDonald's included: Vice President of Real Estate and Construction; Group Vice President, Integrated Logistics; and Director of International Operations, to name a few.
'This transaction is a great opportunity for the Fazoli's brand and its people,' said Kuni Toyoda, founder and departing CEO of Fazoli's Restaurants, Inc. 'We are confident that this transaction will further enhance Fazoli's outstanding franchise, and I would like to personally thank our hardworking associates and management team for their support throughout the past sixteen years.'
Toyoda added, 'I am also pleased that Bob Weissmueller, who brings a wealth of restaurant experience in many corporate disciplines, will be leading Fazoli's in its next phase of growth. I wish him, the management team, and our associates, the best of good fortune.'
Bob Weissmueller, the newly-appointed CEO of Fazoli's Restaurants, Inc., stated, "I am delighted to be joining Fazoli's Restaurants and am confident that the financial resources and deep restaurant experience of Sun Capital and its affiliates will support the management team in strengthening Fazoli's value proposition and reputation for superlative guest service and quality Italian meals.'
M. Steven Liff, Managing Director, Sun Capital Partners, Inc., added, 'Fazoli's is a leader in its niche and continues to excel through its commitment to quality, service, and overall guest satisfaction. We look forward to working with Bob Weissmueller, Fazoli's management team, and our franchisees to position the chain for growth.'
About Fazoli's Restaurants, Inc.
Founded in 1988, Fazoli's is one of the largest quick service Italian restaurant chains in the U.S., with 319 restaurants located in 32 states. Fazoli's menu includes a wide variety of traditional and innovative Italian food offerings, including pastas (build-your-own pasta, lasagna, and oven-baked pastas like baked chicken parmesan), toasted submarine and panini sandwiches, pizza (slice or whole pie), soups, salads, and deserts.
Robert ('Bob') Weissmueller, a 35-year veteran of McDonald's Corporation, will become the president and CEO of Fazoli's, effective immediately, succeeding founder Kuni Toyoda, who is leaving the organization after more than 16 years of service. Weissmueller has had a distinguished career in the restaurant industry, having served in executive management positions with McDonald's Corporation since 1971. His positions with McDonald's included: Vice President of Real Estate and Construction; Group Vice President, Integrated Logistics; and Director of International Operations, to name a few.
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'This transaction is a great opportunity for the Fazoli's brand and its people,' said Kuni Toyoda, founder and departing CEO of Fazoli's Restaurants, Inc. 'We are confident that this transaction will further enhance Fazoli's outstanding franchise, and I would like to personally thank our hardworking associates and management team for their support throughout the past sixteen years.'
Toyoda added, 'I am also pleased that Bob Weissmueller, who brings a wealth of restaurant experience in many corporate disciplines, will be leading Fazoli's in its next phase of growth. I wish him, the management team, and our associates, the best of good fortune.'
Bob Weissmueller, the newly-appointed CEO of Fazoli's Restaurants, Inc., stated, "I am delighted to be joining Fazoli's Restaurants and am confident that the financial resources and deep restaurant experience of Sun Capital and its affiliates will support the management team in strengthening Fazoli's value proposition and reputation for superlative guest service and quality Italian meals.'
M. Steven Liff, Managing Director, Sun Capital Partners, Inc., added, 'Fazoli's is a leader in its niche and continues to excel through its commitment to quality, service, and overall guest satisfaction. We look forward to working with Bob Weissmueller, Fazoli's management team, and our franchisees to position the chain for growth.'
About Fazoli's Restaurants, Inc.
Founded in 1988, Fazoli's is one of the largest quick service Italian restaurant chains in the U.S., with 319 restaurants located in 32 states. Fazoli's menu includes a wide variety of traditional and innovative Italian food offerings, including pastas (build-your-own pasta, lasagna, and oven-baked pastas like baked chicken parmesan), toasted submarine and panini sandwiches, pizza (slice or whole pie), soups, salads, and deserts.