High Bluff Capital Partners inked a deal to acquire quick-serve restaurant chain Church’s Chicken from FFL Partners. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2021 and remains subject to various customary closing conditions.

As foodservice operators continue to evolve, so too must the supply chain that serves them. From a distance, though, it may not look as if a lot has changed among the individual links in the foodservice equipment supply chain. But a closer look reveals much has changed about the way that individual companies go to market, how they work with each other and more.

Update: 10 a.m., July 14, 2021

Private equity firm Luminate Capital Partners has sold AutoQuotes to TA Associates. As part of this deal, AutoQuotes will become part of Revalize, a cloud-based software platform for manufacturers, per a release announcing the deal. Jim Contardi will serve as CEO of Revalize.

Multiconcept operator BBQ Holdings reached an agreement to acquire restaurant chains Village Inn and Bakers Square from VIBSQ. The deal is expected to close by the end of July.

An affiliate of Nicholas Perkins, one of the chain’s largest franchisees, will acquire Fuddruckers for an estimated $18.5 million from multiconcept operator Luby’s. The deal includes master ownership of the Fuddruckers brand worldwide. 

Update June 1, 2021: Since Ali Group confirmed it made an offer to acquire Welbilt several developments have occurred.

Spaceman USA will acquire BDE Innovation, a provider of Internet of Things (IoT) and dispense technologies.

In a deal that unites two publicly traded foodservice equipment manufacturers, The Middleby Corporation will acquire Welbilt in an all-stock transaction. The deal is expected to close by the end of 2021. The boards of directors for both companies have approved this deal, per a Middleby release.

Mulitiline foodservice equipment manufacturer Ali Group has acquired KOLD-DRAFT from The Legacy Companies. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

In a deal involving two of the top 100 foodservice equipment and supplies dealers in the country, Singer Equipment Company has acquired Thompson & Little. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Capriotti's Sandwich Shop has acquired Wing Zone, a fast-casual chicken wing concept with 31 locations in North America and 36 abroad. The deal will create a company that will close 2020 with more than $100 million in sales system wide, per a release announcing the acquisition. Both Capriotti’s and Wing Zone are franchise-based concepts.

CFS Brands has acquired AyrKing, a manufacturer of food preparation equipment and related accessories.

In a move aimed at accelerating the fast-casual restaurant chain’s growth plans, Goldman Sachs will acquire a sizable stake in Zaxby’s. The deal is expected to close by the end of 2020.

In a partnership with the chain’s management, Levine Leichtman Capital Partners will acquire Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Terms of the deal for the fast-casual chain with 870 units across 44 states were not disclosed.

The Middleby Corporation added an automated option to its restaurant equipment portfolio thanks to the acquisition of RAM Fry Dispensers from Automated Equipment LLC. RAM produces automated frozen French fry dispensing equipment.

Private-equity firm Lorraine Capital has acquired 100 percent of the stock in Buffalo Hotel Supply, an Amherst, N.Y.-based foodservice equipment and supplies dealership. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.