TAMPA, Fla., April 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Bloomin'
Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLMN) announced the sale and refranchising of
45 Outback Steakhouses in Arizona,
Colorado, Nevada and New
Mexico to Cerca Trova Restaurant Concepts, Inc. and its
affiliates, along with eight Outback restaurants and one Carrabba's
Italian Grill in Montana,
South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming to Evergreen Restaurant Group LLC. The
transactions closed on April 25 and
April 27 respectively.
"Both Cerca Trova and Evergreen are excellent operators and have
been successful Outback franchisees for more than 20 years," said
Suk Singh, Global Chief Development
Officer & Franchising. "We're confident that with their
expertise, knowledge of our brands, and dedication to providing an
outstanding Outback experience, this will be a seamless transition
for our guests."
Cerca Trova, formerly known as T-Bird Restaurant Group, has
operated Outback restaurants in California since 1994 and is a portfolio
company of H.I.G. Capital, a leading global private equity and
alternative assets firm. H.I.G. specializes in providing both debt
and equity capital to small and mid-sized companies, utilizing a
flexible and operationally focused/ value-added approach. Cerca
Trova is the largest franchisee for Bloomin' Brands.
"This partnership will provide additional energy and resources
to Cerca Trova as we expand," said Steve
Weigel, President and CEO, of Cerca Trova Restaurant
Concepts. "Working with the entire team at Outback is an
honor and a privilege and this partnership will allow the brand to
continue to prosper."
Evergreen Restaurant Group has been a franchisee for 21 years
and operates Outback, Carrabba's and Bonefish Grill restaurants
across the northwest.
"Operating three of the finest casual dining brands in the
country is very rewarding," said Jeff
Jones, President and CEO of Evergreen Restaurant Group. "We
are very pleased to add the additional Outback restaurants to our
portfolio and commence operating Carrabba's Italian Grill as
well."
With the two transactions, Cerca Trova now operates all Outback
restaurants across five states and Evergreen, multiple restaurant
brands across seven states.
About Bloomin' Brands, Inc.
Bloomin' Brands,
Inc. is one of the largest casual dining restaurant companies in
the world with a portfolio of leading, differentiated restaurant
concepts. The Company has four founder-inspired brands: Outback
Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and
Wine Bar. The Company owns and operates approximately 1,500
restaurants in 48 states, Puerto
Rico, Guam and 20
countries, some of which are franchise locations. For more
information, please visit bloominbrands.com.
About Cerca Trova Restaurant Concepts, Inc.
Cerca
Trova Restaurant Concepts is a restaurant management company
headquartered in San Diego,
California. It is affiliated with dynamic brands
including Outback Steakhouse, the premier casual steakhouse
restaurant franchise. For more information, please visit
cercatrovarc.com.
About Evergreen Restaurant Ventures, Inc.
Evergreen
Restaurant Group manages and operates both casual dining and fast
casual concepts out of its headquarters in Redmond, Washington. For more
information, please contact Mari
Short at (425) 557-7711 extension 119.
Cathie Koch
Vice President, Corporate Communications
(813) 830-5127
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bloomin-brands-inc-refranchises-54-company-owned-locations-to-longtime-franchise-partners-300447522.html
SOURCE Bloomin' Brands, Inc.