Brentwood Associates takes majority stake in Chicken Salad Chick

Brentwood Associates, a California-based private equity firm, has acquired a majority stake in SSRG Holdings, the holding company of US chicken restaurant chain Chicken Salad Chick, from Eagle Merchant Partners.

The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Currently, Chicken Salad Chick operates 137 chicken restaurants in 16 states across the US, with a presence largely in the Southeast region. The fast-casual restaurant company was established in 2008 by Stacy and Kevin Brown with the first location opened in Auburn, Alabama.

Chicken Salad Chick is said to be known for its made-from-scratch chicken salads. The chicken restaurant chain offers more than a dozen distinct chicken salad flavors that are served by the scoop, sandwich or bowl.

Brentwood Associates acquires majority stake in Chicken Salad Chick. Image courtesy of KEKO64 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The fast-casual restaurants also offer homemade pimento cheese and egg salad, and also fresh sides, soups, and desserts. Chicken Salad Chick restaurants provide dine-in, take-out, drive-thru, and catering.

Rahul Aggarwal – partner at Brentwood Associates said: “Chicken Salad Chick’s model fits well within our strategy of investing in high-growth, best-in-class consumer businesses. We look forward to working with Scott and the Chicken Salad Chick team to build upon their success in the markets they serve.”

Chicken Salad Chick is headed by CEO Scott Deviney, who will continue to lead the restaurant company going forward.

Scott Deviney said: “We are very excited to partner with Brentwood on the next chapter for Chicken Salad Chick. Brentwood’s long track record of working with leading restaurant companies coupled with their understanding of our business objectives and strategy make them the perfect partner for us to continue executing on our robust growth and expansion plan.”

North Point Advisors was the advisor of Chicken Salad Chick for the deal, while King & Spalding served as legal counsel. On the other hand, Brentwood Associates was represented by Burr & Forman.