San Antonio, Texas-based Food Management Partners has acquired the Ovation Brands Inc. and its portfolio of buffet restaurant brands including Ryan’s, Fire Mountain, Country Buffet, Old Country Buffet, Hometown Buffet and Tahoe Joe’s.  The 32-year old Ovation Brands included more than 300 restaurants in 35 states.  The acquisition also includes the millwork and manufacturing facility in Minnesota. “We are very pleased to announce the acquisition of Ovation Brands,” said Food Management’s Vice President, Business Development Peter Donbavand. “The buffet business is one with which we are very familiar, and the chance to acquire a category leader does not come along often.”  Food Management Partners is a privately owned multi-concept developer and operator of independent restaurant chains.  The company presently owns and operates Don Pablo’s, Coco’s Bakery Restaurant, Carrows Restaurants, Furr’s Fresh Buffet and Zio’s Italian Kitchen.  It recently divested its interest in Buffalo Wild Wings, and previously operated one of the largest Little Caesar’s franchises. With the addition of Ovation Brands, the FMP portfolio is comprised of roughly 500 restaurants and over $1.0-billion in annual sales.  Following bankruptcy filings in 2012, Ovation Brands began entertaining the possibilities of a sale earlier this year.  Also earlier in the year, FMP acquired the California-based Catalina Restaurant Group, a parent company to Coco's Bakery and the Carrows Restaurant chains.

Food Management Partners - 120 Chula Vista Dr, San Antonio, Texas 78232 (210/403-3725, www.foodmps.com , info@foodmps.com)