Bunker Hill Capital has sold its portfolio company, The Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group (SWRG), to Danu Partners, a Dublin-based private equity firm. Danu Partners is also a sub-licensee of SWRG and it opened a Smith & Wollensky restaurant in London in June 2015. Bunker Hill acquired SWRG in May 2007.
The Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group is an operator of high-end, high-volume steakhouses located in major cities across the United States. The company’s seven restaurants are located in Miami Beach, Chicago, Las Vegas, Columbus, Houston and two locations in Boston (Atlantic Wharf and Back Bay). The company is led by its CEO Mike Feighery and is headquartered in Boston (www.smithandwollensky.com).
“We could not be more pleased in transitioning the stewardship of this extraordinary brand to our existing sub-licensee partners at Danu, and we wish them every success,” said Mark DeBlois, a Managing Partner of Bunker Hill Capital.
Danu Partners was founded in 2009 and has investments across a range of business sectors. The firm is owned by Michael O’Rourke, Leonard Ryan and Mark O’Meara and is based in Dublin (www.danupartners.ie).
“We are delighted to have concluded this deal to acquire what we believe to be an iconic steakhouse brand, with superb potential for further growth and development,” said Mr. Ryan. “We look forward to working with Mike Feighery and his team to continue to expand the reach of the brand both domestically and internationally.”
Bunker Hill makes control investments in lower middle market companies with EBITDAs between $5 million and $20 million, and enterprise values up to $120 million. Sectors of interest include industrial products, business services, consumer products, and specialty retail. The firm has offices in Boston and San Diego (www.bunkerhillcapital.com).
North Point Advisors (www.nptadvisors.com) was the financial advisor to SWRG and Bunker Hill Capital.
© 2016 Private Equity Professional • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 3-22-16
