Roark Capital Group
| Company type | Private equity firm |
|---|---|
| Industry | Private equity |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founder | Neal K. Aronson |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Neal K. Aronson (Managing Partner) |
| Products | Leveraged buyouts of middle-market companies in franchise, restaurant, food services, health and wellness, business services sectors |
Roark Capital Management, LLC, frequently referred to as Roark Capital Group or simply Roark Capital, is a U.S.-based private equity firm overseeing assets valued at nearly $37 billion. The company focuses on leveraged buyout transactions involving middle-market companies, with a concentration on sectors such as franchise and multi-location businesses, restaurant and food services, health and wellness, as well as business services. Its name is inspired by Howard Roark, the protagonist of Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead, symbolizing a commitment to independence and confidence rather than any political affiliation.
History
Established in 2001 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Roark Capital was founded by Managing Partner Neal K. Aronson, who had earlier co-founded U.S. Franchise Systems in 1995.
Investments
The firm's investment holdings include:
Current investments
- Aftermath Services
- Anytime Fitness
- CKE Restaurants: (brands include Carl's Jr., Hardee's, Green Burrito & Red Burrito)
- Minority ownership in Culver's
- Dave's Hot Chicken
- Divisions Maintenance Group
- Driven Brands: encompassing 1-800-Radiator & A/C, Abra, CARSTAR, International Car Wash Group/ICWG, Maaco, Meineke, Merlin 200,000 Mile Shops, Xpress Lube, Take 5 Oil Change, Pro Oil Change, Econo Lube & Tune
- Fitness Connection
- GoTo Foods (previously Focus Brands): including Auntie Anne's, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba Juice, McAlister's Deli, Moe's Southwest Grill, and Schlotzsky's
- Great Expressions Dental Centers
- Home Service Store
- Inspire Brands: (brands such as Arby's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic Drive-In, Jimmy John's, Dunkin', Mister Donut, and Baskin-Robbins)
- Installation Made Easy
- Jim 'N Nick's BBQ Restaurants
- Massage Envy
- Mathnasium
- Miller's Ale House
- Orangetheory Fitness
- Pet Retail Brands: Bosley's, Pet Supermarket, PetValu
- Primrose Schools
- Self Esteem Brands: Basecamp Fitness, The Bar Method, Waxing the City
- ServiceMaster Brands: ServiceMaster Clean, ServiceMaster Restore, AmeriSpec, Furniture Medic, Merry Maids
- Subway
Former investments
- Atkins Nutritionals
- Batteries Plus Bulbs
- The Cheesecake Factory
- Cyber Core Technologies
- Drybar
- Fastsigns
- GFL Environmental
- Il Fornaio (including Corner Bakery Cafe)
- Money Mailer
- Movie Gallery
- Naf Naf Grill
- Peachtree Business Products
- PSC Info Group
- Qualawash
- Solterra Recycling
- United States Arbitrage Finance II
- USFS
- Waste Pro
- Wingstop