RICHARDSON, Texas — Ampex Brands, a franchisee of Yum Brands quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and 7-Eleven convenience stores, which acquired the Au Bon Pain chain a year ago, has made its second deal for a concept with the acquisition of the eight-unit bistro concept Bellagreen, reported Restaurant Business, a sister publication of CSP.
Bellagreen operates locations in Dallas and Houston. Ampex operates approximately 500 quick-service restaurants and approximately 100 convenience-stores.
“From the first time we set foot in a Bellagreen, we knew it would be the perfect addition to the Ampex family,” Ampex CEO Tabbassum Mumtaz said. He said Bellagreen is “pioneering a new path for the fast-casual industry.” He also vowed to introduce the brand “to every major city in the U.S.”
Bellagreen will keep some key executives, including Director of Culinary Silvestre Reyes and Regional Operator Erik Bednar. Ampex CFO Eric Easton and Vice President of Growth and Strategy Sameer Mumtaz will play integral roles in the strategic direction and operations for the chain.
Ampex said that it has tripled catering revenue at Au Bon Pain since acquiring the brand and said it has new locations proposed for 2022. Easton said he expects “a smooth transition” at Bellagreen.
Hargett Hunter Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in Bellagreen in 2016, when the chain had five locations. Its menu features a range of sandwich, salad, pizzas and other entrees along with beer and wine.
Mumtaz founded the Richardson, Tex.-based Ampex Brands in 2005. The company operates more than 500 locations in fast-food and convenience-store businesses.
Yum! Brands Inc., Louisville, Ky., has more than 54,000 restaurants in more than 155 countries and territories primarily operating under the company’s KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurant brands. Its family of brands also includes The Habit Burger Grill, a fast-casual restaurant concept specializing in made-to-order char-grilled burgers, sandwiches and more.
Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 77,700 stores in 19 countries and regions, including about 13,000 in the United States, approximately 9,500 under the 7-Eleven banner, around 3,800 under the Speedway banner and about 500 under the Stripes flag, as well as the Laredo Taco Company and Raise the Roost Chicken and Biscuits brands.
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