Latest news with #Mexican-fusion
Business Journals
18-06-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
St. Louis private equity firm acquires 'Mexican-fusion' restaurant chain
St. Louis' largest private equity firm has acquired a franchisor of fast-casual, Mexican-fusion restaurants that recently entered the local market.
Business Wire
18-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Thompson Street Capital Partners Acquires Bubbakoo's Burritos, a Rapidly Growing Mexican-Fusion Fast-Casual Franchisor
ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Thompson Street Capital Partners (TSCP), a private equity firm based in St. Louis, announced today it has acquired Bubbakoo's Burritos (Bubbakoo's), a New Jersey-based franchisor of fast-casual Mexican-fusion restaurants. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 2008 in Wall Township, New Jersey by restaurant industry veterans Bill Hart and Paul Altero, Bubbakoo's delivers a bold twist on traditional Mexican fare. With a focus on made-to-order food and a vibrant restaurant experience, Bubbakoo's began franchising in 2015. The brand has since expanded to more than 130 locations across 15 states, primarily along the East Coast and Midwest. This acquisition comes at a time when the fast-casual category continues to outperform broader foodservice segments, driven by evolving consumer preferences for flavorful, customizable cuisine and growing investor appetite for scalable restaurant concepts. 'Bubbakoo's has created an innovative and compelling brand that resonates with a broad and growing customer base,' said Bob Dunn, Managing Partner at TSCP. 'Bill and Paul have built something special—an exciting concept with strong franchisee relationships, consistent unit growth, and a passionate following. We are thrilled to partner with the team as they enter this next phase of expansion.' 'We see tremendous opportunity to support Bubbakoo's continued growth by investing in technology, brand development, infrastructure, and franchisee support systems,' said Joe St. Geme, Managing Director at TSCP. 'The Company has built a strong foundation, and our team is eager to help accelerate growth while maintaining the culture and values that have made Bubbakoo's a success.' 'From our earliest days in New Jersey to now having more than 130 locations across the country, we've been incredibly proud to see our vision resonate with guests, franchisees, and communities,' said Mr. Hart, Co-Founder of Bubbakoo's. 'Our growth has always been grounded in our commitment to food quality, hospitality and a culture that values individuality and innovation.' 'Thompson Street Capital Partners brings deep experience in scaling founder-led businesses and shares our passion for supporting franchisees and delivering great experiences to customers,' added Mr. Altero, Co-Founder of Bubbakoo's. 'With their support, we're confident Bubbakoo's can accelerate its growth into new markets, invest in technology and infrastructure, and continue building a world-class franchise system.' Sidley Austin acted as legal advisor to TSCP. About Thompson Street Capital Partners Thompson Street Capital Partners ( is a middle-market private equity firm that helps transform already exceptional businesses into market leaders. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, TSCP invests globally in the life sciences and healthcare, software and technology, business and consumer services and products sectors. TSCP partners with management teams to increase value by accelerating growth, both organically and via complementary acquisitions.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Thompson Street Capital Partners Acquires Bubbakoo's Burritos, a Rapidly Growing Mexican-Fusion Fast-Casual Franchisor
Transaction underscores TSCP's continued investment in founder-led, scalable franchisors ST. LOUIS, June 18, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Thompson Street Capital Partners (TSCP), a private equity firm based in St. Louis, announced today it has acquired Bubbakoo's Burritos (Bubbakoo's), a New Jersey-based franchisor of fast-casual Mexican-fusion restaurants. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 2008 in Wall Township, New Jersey by restaurant industry veterans Bill Hart and Paul Altero, Bubbakoo's delivers a bold twist on traditional Mexican fare. With a focus on made-to-order food and a vibrant restaurant experience, Bubbakoo's began franchising in 2015. The brand has since expanded to more than 130 locations across 15 states, primarily along the East Coast and Midwest. This acquisition comes at a time when the fast-casual category continues to outperform broader foodservice segments, driven by evolving consumer preferences for flavorful, customizable cuisine and growing investor appetite for scalable restaurant concepts. "Bubbakoo's has created an innovative and compelling brand that resonates with a broad and growing customer base," said Bob Dunn, Managing Partner at TSCP. "Bill and Paul have built something special—an exciting concept with strong franchisee relationships, consistent unit growth, and a passionate following. We are thrilled to partner with the team as they enter this next phase of expansion." "We see tremendous opportunity to support Bubbakoo's continued growth by investing in technology, brand development, infrastructure, and franchisee support systems," said Joe St. Geme, Managing Director at TSCP. "The Company has built a strong foundation, and our team is eager to help accelerate growth while maintaining the culture and values that have made Bubbakoo's a success." "From our earliest days in New Jersey to now having more than 130 locations across the country, we've been incredibly proud to see our vision resonate with guests, franchisees, and communities," said Mr. Hart, Co-Founder of Bubbakoo's. "Our growth has always been grounded in our commitment to food quality, hospitality and a culture that values individuality and innovation." "Thompson Street Capital Partners brings deep experience in scaling founder-led businesses and shares our passion for supporting franchisees and delivering great experiences to customers," added Mr. Altero, Co-Founder of Bubbakoo's. "With their support, we're confident Bubbakoo's can accelerate its growth into new markets, invest in technology and infrastructure, and continue building a world-class franchise system." Sidley Austin acted as legal advisor to TSCP. About Thompson Street Capital Partners Thompson Street Capital Partners ( is a middle-market private equity firm that helps transform already exceptional businesses into market leaders. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, TSCP invests globally in the life sciences and healthcare, software and technology, business and consumer services and products sectors. TSCP partners with management teams to increase value by accelerating growth, both organically and via complementary acquisitions. View source version on Contacts Jeremy MilnerGregory FCAjmilner@ (401) 862-9422 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Arizona Hit by Series of Mexican Restaurants Closing
Arizona has been hit by a series of Mexican restaurants closing from different chains. Most recently, in June, eight of Filiberto's Mexican Restaurants closed their doors at one time, surprising customers. According to the Phoenix New Times, the eight locations "closed with no explanation," but it might be due to a medical issue. Customers vented on Reddit about the loss. "Why are a bunch of locations closed with just a sign on the door that says closed. No explanation or nothing. Just a hand written sign," a person wrote. Then there's Buqui Bichi Brewing, which opened its first U.S. location in Chandler, AZ, and its second in Phoenix, "offering imported beer and a Mexican-fusion food menu," according to the Phoenix New Times . However, as of May 1, neither is open, with the Phoenix taproom shutting its doors, the New Times reported. In February, On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina closed all of its Arizona locations; it had three in the Valley, according to AZCentral. The company lists no Arizona locations on its website. In April, a Taco Bell restaurant that was one of the first in the country shut its doors after 60 years in Scottsdale, AZ, according to Fox 10 Phoenix. That restaurant was considered an icon as it was the 31st Taco Bell restaurant in the country, the New York Post reported. In 2024, AZ Family reported that Serrano's Mexican Restaurants had closed two locations in the state, in Chandler and Tempe. In 2020, a Mexican restaurant called El Indio Restaurant shut down in Tucson, Hit by Series of Mexican Restaurants Closing first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 13, 2025
