Golub Capital recently announced that as Administrative Agent, Sole Bookrunner and Sole Lead Arranger, it provided a $146 million GOLD facility to support the acquisition of Cafe Rio, Inc. by Freeman Spogli & Co. GOLD financings are Golub Capital One-Loan Debt facilities.
Founded in 1997, Cafe Rio is an award-winning restaurant chain specializing in Mexican food. Its authentic dishes are made-from-scratch and inspired by recipes and traditional cooking found in Northern Mexico's Rio Grande region, Southern Texas and New Mexico. Cafe Rio has over 100 locations in eleven states, and has won more than 100 awards, including the Alfred P. Sloan Award for workplace flexibility, and inclusion in the Inc. 500. The Cafe Rio financing follows a series of recent transactions that Golub Capital's Middle-Market Lending group has supported in the consumer, restaurant and retail sector in the last few months.
"Cafe Rio's history of strong performance, consistent growth and experienced, responsible leadership aligns with our investment strategy of supporting high-potential middle market businesses with solid fundamentals," said Troy Oder, Managing Director at Golub Capital. "We have a long track record of success alongside Freeman Spogli, and look forward to strengthening our relationship through our partnership on Cafe Rio."
"We have a longstanding relationship with Golub Capital based on their deep sector expertise, professionalism and a track record of mutually-successful investments," said Christian Johnson, Partner at Freeman Spogli. "Their ability to reliably and consistently provide flexible, growth-oriented financing solutions will benefit the Cafe Rio platform in the years ahead."
About Golub Capital Middle-Market Lending
Golub Capital's Middle Market Lending group provides financing for middle market, private equity-backed transactions with hold positions of up to $400 million and is an arranger of credit facilities up to $750 million. Golub Capital's award-winning team strives to establish long-term, win-win partnerships by providing dependable, fast and creative solutions that meet private equity sponsors' and portfolio companies' needs.
Golub Capital is a nationally recognized credit asset manager with over $20 billion of capital under management. For over 20 years, the firm has provided credit to help medium-sized U.S. businesses grow. The firm's award-winning middle market lending business helps provide financing for middle market companies and their private equity sponsors. Golub Capital's credit expertise also forms the foundation of its Late Stage Lending and Broadly Syndicated Loan businesses. Golub Capital has worked hard to build a reputation as a fast, reliable provider of compelling financing solutions, and we believe this has inspired repeat clients and investors. Today, the firm has over 300 employees with lending offices in Chicago, New York and San Francisco. For more information, please visit www.golubcapital.com.
About Cafe Rio, Inc.
Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Cafe Rio is a high-growth, fast-casual Mexican restaurant company focused on serving exceptional, made-from-scratch food. The company operates over 100 company-owned restaurants across Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.
About Freeman Spogli & Co.
Freeman Spogli & Co. is a private equity firm dedicated exclusively to investing in and partnering with management in consumer-related and distribution companies in the United States. Since its founding in 1983, Freeman Spogli has invested over $4 billion in 57 portfolio companies with an aggregate transaction value of approximately $22 billion, and is currently making investments from FS Equity Partners VII, L.P. Freeman Spogli has offices in Los Angeles and New York. For additional information, visit www.freemanspogli.com.
