Bain Capital
“From steakhouses to radio empires, Bain's “turnarounds” occasionally turn around. And occasionally turn into $20 billion bankruptcies.”
Bain Capital currently owns 2 consumer brands we track, including Fogo de Chão and Bob's Discount Furniture, across 2 categories. It has since exited 4 more.
With over $180 billion to play with, Bain Capital is one of the world's largest PE firms. They're known for buying struggling companies and cutting costs to squeeze out more profit. Sometimes it works. Sometimes you get iHeartMedia, which accumulated $20 billion in debt and became one of the largest bankruptcies in media history. Their consumer portfolio spans Brazilian steakhouses, family daycare centers, and casual dining chains — apparently no corner of daily life is off-limits.
Founded 1984 · Boston, MA