Roti (restaurant chain)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fast casual dining |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Bill Post, Mats Lederhausen |
| Fate | Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024; acquired by BroadPeak Capital (Edible Arrangements) in 2025 |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
Area served | United States (Chicago, Minneapolis, Dallas, Houston, New York City, Washington DC) |
Key people | Bill Post (co-founder and former CEO), Mats Lederhausen (Chairman), Carl Segal (former CEO), Justin Seamonds (former CEO) |
| Products | Mediterranean cuisine (wraps, pita sandwiches, rice bowls, salads) |
| Owner | Edible Arrangements (since 2025) |
| Parent | Edible Brands |
| Website | www |
Roti (presented as rōti), previously known as Roti Restaurants, Inc., Rōti Modern Mediterranean, and Rōti Mediterranean Grill, is a Mediterranean fast casual dining chain based in Chicago, established in 2007. Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, the brand operated 42 venues across cities including Chicago, Minneapolis, Dallas, Houston, New York City, and Washington DC. The pandemic's adverse effect on downtown dining led to a bankruptcy filing in 2024. In 2025, Edible Arrangements acquired Roti, which currently runs 17 corporate outlets located in Chicago, Minneapolis, and DC, and has revealed collaborations such as one with Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
History
Created in 2007 to fulfill the growing appetite for nutritious Mediterranean cuisine, Roti expanded its footprint to Washington DC by 2010 and doubled its count from 6 to 12 stores by 2011. By 2013, it entered the New York City market with its 16th location under the leadership of co-founder and CEO Bill Post and Chairman Mats Lederhausen, both recognized for their involvement in Chipotle Mexican Grill’s IPO. Its early market rivals included Naf Naf Grill, GRK Greek Kitchen, and Zoes Kitchen.
In March 2014, Carl Segal assumed the CEO role of the 19-unit franchise spread across DC (9), Chicago (8), and NYC (2), with intentions to expand further within DC. The brand underwent a rebranding in September 2015 to Roti Modern Mediterranean, introducing an enhanced beverage selection featuring beer, wine, freshly crafted juices, and teas to accompany its wraps, pita sandwiches, rice bowls, and salads. By early 2016, all locations—totaling 21—offered exclusively grass-fed beef alongside antibiotic-free chicken, organic chickpeas, and responsibly sourced Atlantic salmon.
Roti made its Texas debut in June 2017 with a store in Uptown Dallas and entered Minnesota the following month; three additional Minnesota locations opened in 2018. In March of that year, Valor Equity Partners invested $23 million to fuel national expansion of the then 34-store chain. Houston was added to the portfolio by late 2019.
Justin Seamonds was appointed CEO in February 2020 to oversee operations at 42 sites across major metropolitan areas. While the pandemic caused a sharp decline in downtown lunch patronage, suburban and online sales saw growth. In response to increased online ordering during late 2020, Roti transitioned from a fully made-to-order model to a hybrid approach featuring pre-selected meal options. By April 2021, diminished foot traffic in urban business districts—where over half of its restaurants were located—led to permanent closure of 14 stores and temporary suspension of another 14.
By early 2023, the chain operated 26 outlets but shuttered seven additional locations by mid-2024 due to rising expenses and lapsing rent deferrals. In August 2024, faced with declining consumer spending and operational difficulties, Roti filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. An auction held in October offered 19 stores along with assets generating $25.7 million in sales during 2023; however, the top bid did not finalize.
In February 2025, BroadPeak Capital acquired leases for 17 restaurants (10 in Chicago, three in Minneapolis, four in DC) along with intellectual property rights for nearly $4.7 million; Roti became part of the Edible Brands portfolio. By August 2025, Roti announced franchise opportunities requiring capital investments between $494,300 and $813,700 and unveiled a partnership with Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Plans for growth include reentering Texas markets as well as expanding into Michigan, Ohio, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida.
External links
- Establishments in Illinois from 2007
- Mergers and acquisitions in 2025
- American firms founded in 2007
- Companies that underwent Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024
- Fast casual dining establishments
- Mediterranean cuisine restaurants in the United States
- Private equity owned companies
- Chicago-based restaurants
- Restaurant chains across the United States
- Dining establishments founded in 2007
- American companies established in 2007