Sponsored By

The Kebab Shop slated to grow with minority investment

Private-equity firm invests in Mediterranean fast-casual concept

Lisa Jennings, Executive Editor

January 11, 2017

2 Min Read
kebab shop interior
The Kebab Shop

The eight-unit fast-casual Mediterranean chain The Kebab Shop has received a minority investment from private-equity firm AP Franchised Concepts to support future growth, the companies announced Tuesday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Poway, Calif.-based chain founded in 2007, which operates in San Diego and Northern California, offers European-style doner kebabs with slow-roasted rotisserie meats, made-to-order grilled items and fresh salads.

kebab-shop-food.jpg
Photo: The Kebab Shop

Arian Baryalai, The Kebab Shop’s CEO and chief financial officer, said the investment will support the company’s plan to open six to eight locations over the next two or three years, moving into the Los Angeles area and expanding in Northern California.

And though the new investor has “franchised” in its name, that doesn’t mean The Kebab Shop plans to franchise, he said. “We’ll wait until we get to 10 to 15 locations before we make that decision.”

Like the kebab restaurants common in countries like Germany, The Kebab Shop offers flatbread-wrapped sandwiches, shawarma or a doner box with a kebab on saffron rice or with fries, along with entrée plates with meat and two sides. Prices range from about $8 to $10 for sandwiches or box to $11 to $13 for plates, said Baryalai.

kebab-shop-exterior-promo.jpg
Photo: The Kebab Shop

AP Franchised Concepts was launched in 2016 to invest in and operate restaurant and retail concepts.

Founded by Anthony Polazzi, the firm has also made minority investments in the eight-unit Szechwan restaurant chain Han Dynasty as well as Orange, Calif.-based Bean Sprouts chain, a healthy-dining concept for kids.

Roth Capital Partners served as exclusive financial advisor to The Kebab Shop on the deal.

Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected]

Follow her on Twitter: @livetodineout

About the Author

Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality

Lisa Jennings is executive editor of Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She joined the NRN staff as West Coast editor in 2004 as a veteran journalist. Before joining NRN, she spent 11 years at The Commercial Appeal, the daily newspaper in Memphis, Tenn., most recently as editor of the Food and Health & Wellness sections. Prior experience includes staff reporting for the Washington Business Journal and United Press International.

Lisa’s areas of expertise include coverage of both large public restaurant chains and small independents, the regulatory and legal landscapes impacting the industry overall, as well as helping operators find solutions to run their business better.

Lisa Jennings’ experience:

Executive editor, NRN (March 2020 to present)

Executive editor, Restaurant Hospitality (January 2018 to present)

Senior editor, NRN (September 2004 to March 2020)

Reporter/editor, The Commercial Appeal (1990-2001)

Reporter, Washington Business Journal (1985-1987)

Contact Lisa Jennings at:

[email protected]

@livetodineout

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-jennings-83202510/

 

Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more.

You May Also Like