News: Au Bon Pain owner Ampex Brands acquires fast-casual Bellagreen

Franchise operator expands quick-service, c-store portfolio with fast-casual brand

Ron Ruggless | Jul 22, 2022

Ampex Brands, which last June bought quick-service Au Bon Pain, has acquired the eight-unit fast-casual Bellagreen brand, the companies said Friday.

Richardson, Texas-based Ampex, which franchises more than 400 locations of Pizza Hut, KFC, Taco Bell, Long John Silver’s and 7-Eleven convenience stores, completed its acquisition of Au Bon Pain in June 2021 from Panera Bread. Ampex bought 171 Au Bon Pain locations and franchising rights to an added 131 locations.

Terms of the Bellagreen acquisition, finalized on July 18, from Dallas-based Bellagreen Holdings LLC were not disclosed. Bellagreen has six units in Houston and two in the Dallas area.

“From the first time we set foot in a Bellagreen, we knew it would be the perfect addition to the Ampex family,” said Tabbassum Mumtaz, CEO and founder of Ampex, in a statement. “Bellagreen is pioneering a new path for the fast-casual industry, and we look forward to introducing this brand to every major city in the U.S.”

Bellagreen is retaining Erik Bednar as regional operator and Silvestre Reyes as director of culinary in their current roles and all restaurant-level staff. Ampex said Eric Easton, the company’s chief financial officer, and Sameer Mumtaz, its vice president of growth and strategy, will play integral roles in the strategic direction and operations for Bellagreen.

Jason Morgan, former Bellagreen CEO, said: “We are passing the baton to a powerful organization [that] can grow the brand.” Morgan said his company will continue to operate the Original ChopShop

Easton, in a statement, said his team was planning the Bellagreen’s growth strategy. “We anticipate a smooth transition and will spend the next few months learning about Bellagreen’s great success from our teams and guests,” Easton said.

Bellagreen is committed to reducing waste and uses water-saving devices, alternate power sources and sustainably sourced food and furnishings.

“Guests expect more from their favorite restaurants, and rightly so,” said Mumtaz. “Bellagreen meets customers where they are, with healthy, customizable options delivered with near-perfect execution.”

Morgan Kingston Advisors LLC acted as the exclusive sell-side adviser to Bellagreen. Ampex was represented by Tucker Ellis and Bellagreen by Wyrick Robbins.

Bellagreen was founded in Houston as Ruggles Green and rebranded in 2017. Ampex was founded in 2005.

Contact Ron Ruggless at Ronald.Ruggless@Informa.com

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