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Is Moe's Southwest Grill Owned by Private Equity?

Yes — Moe's Southwest Grill is owned by Roark Capital, which acquired it in 2007.

PRIVATE EQUITY OWNED

Moe's Southwest Grill

Includes Moe's, Moes

fast casual · Atlanta, GA

Acquirer
Roark Capital (via Focus Brands / GoTo Foods)
Year Acquired
2007

Welcome to Moe's. Where Roark Capital has quietly closed more than 100 locations since 2019.

What They Did

  1. Roark Capital acquired Moe's through Focus Brands (now GoTo Foods) in August 2007, adding it to a growing franchise portfolio
  2. Locations dropped from a peak of 726 in 2019 to 617 by spring 2024 — more than 100 closures in five years
  3. GoTo Foods bundles Moe's with Jamba, Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's, and Carvel — competing for attention inside its own PE-owned portfolio

Since the Acquisition

  • More than 100 locations closed in five years, leaving fans of the Chipotle alternative with fewer neighborhood options
  • The signature 'Welcome to Moe's!' greeting still echoes through remaining locations, but the energy — and the value — behind it has faded

Sources

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What people ask

Is Moe's Southwest Grill owned by private equity?

Yes. Moe's Southwest Grill is currently owned by Roark Capital, which acquired it in 2007. Welcome to Moe's. Where Roark Capital has quietly closed more than 100 locations since 2019.

What happened to Moe's Southwest Grill after the acquisition?

More than 100 locations closed in five years, leaving fans of the Chipotle alternative with fewer neighborhood options The signature 'Welcome to Moe's!' greeting still echoes through remaining locations, but the energy — and the value — behind it has faded

Who owns Moe's Southwest Grill?

Moe's Southwest Grill is owned by Roark Capital, which acquired it in 2007.

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