An Affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc. Acquires Bar Louie Restaurants

• Leading Mid-West Restaurant Chain in Casual to Upscale Dining Segment
• Award-Winning Restaurant & Bar Concept

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sun Capital Partners, Inc., a leading private investment firm specializing in leveraged buyouts and investments in market–leading companies, today announced that an affiliate has completed the acquisition of Bar Louie Restaurants, a national restaurant chain with a concentration of locations in the Mid-West. Terms of the purchase from Restaurant America were not disclosed.

Known for its award-winning restaurant concept launched in Chicago in 1991, today there are 36 Bar Louie locations and 7 franchised units nationwide -- including in Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania), Columbus (Ohio), Foxborough (Massachusetts), Washington, DC, Tampa (Florida), and six in Chicago (Illinois). Uniquely positioned in the casual to upscale lunch and dining segment, Bar Louie is a progressively hip neighborhood restaurant and bar with a lively atmosphere, known for its creative hand-crafted cocktails and extensive variety of delicious menu options that range from familiar American comfort food -- such as sandwiches, salads, pizzas -- to international menu items, including Mexican or Mongolian appetizers. Menu items are priced from $4 to $17, with the average lunch and dinner check running at $12 and $22 respectively. The Bar Louie Development, Inc. was created in 2005 as the franchising arm of the Bar Louie concept.

Anthony G. Polazzi, Principal at Sun Capital Partners, commented, “Bar Louie is a wonderful restaurant and bar concept. We look forward to working with management on strengthening its current market position and further differentiate the chain in the casual to upscale market segment while staying true to the brand. Given the current market environment, this is also an opportune time to seek out opportunities to grow the chain and take the concept to new locations.”

In addition to Bar Louie Restaurants, Sun Capital counts among its affiliated portfolio companies a number of other restaurant businesses, such as Boston Market, Bruegger's, Captain D’s, Fazoli's Restaurants, Friendly’s, Garden Fresh, Restaurants Unlimited, Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill and Souper Salad. The firm places strong emphasis on in–house operational expertise, and partners closely with the management teams of its portfolio companies to grow their businesses and improve their operations.

About Bar Louie Restaurants

Known for its award-winning restaurant concept launched in Chicago in 1991, today there 36 Bar Louie locations nationwide, Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania), Columbus (Ohio), Foxborough (Massachusetts), Washington, DC, Tampa (Florida). The Bar Louie Development, Inc. was created in 2005 as the franchising arm of the Bar Louie concept. For more information, please visit www.restaurants-america.com/bar-louie

About Sun Capital Partners, Inc.

Sun Capital Partners, Inc. is a leading private investment firm focused on leveraged buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in companies that can benefit from its in–house operating professionals and experience. Sun Capital affiliates have invested in and managed more than 220 companies worldwide with combined sales in excess of $40 billion since Sun Capital’s inception in 1995. Sun Capital has offices in Boca Raton, Los Angeles, and New York, as well as affiliates with offices in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Shanghai and Shenzhen. For more information, please visit www.SunCapPart.com.