Wendy's to Acquire Baja Fresh Mexican Grill
NEW YORK - Wendy's International Inc. announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Fresh Enterprises Inc., the owner and operator of the Baja Fresh Mexican Grill restaurant chain. The purchase price will be $275 million in cash for 100 percent of the stock of Fresh Enterprises. The company expects the transaction to be financed with a combination of cash and the issuance of new debt.
Baja Fresh, founded in 1990, owns, operates and franchises 169 fast-casual restaurants in 16 states and the District of Columbia.
Upon completion of the transaction, which is expected in June 2002, Baja Fresh will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Wendy's, and maintain its offices in Thousand Oaks, Calif. The transaction has been approved by both companies' board of directors, and is contingent upon customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.
"Baja Fresh is an excellent addition to our company and a great fit for our long-term growth strategy," said Wendy's chairman and CEO Jack Schuessler. "We have been actively pursuing concepts in the rapidly growing, fast-casual restaurant segment, and Baja Fresh is clearly the best in the Mexican category. It is a well-managed company with a focus on restaurant operations, food quality and growth."
"For Wendy's International, the strategic importance of this transaction is that we expect to expand Baja Fresh over the next five years to a total range of 600 to 700 locations. We expect Baja Fresh to provide increasing revenue and income for our company, and to provide excellent long-term return on investment," Schuessler said.
Baja Fresh, founded in 1990, owns, operates and franchises 169 fast-casual restaurants in 16 states and the District of Columbia.
Upon completion of the transaction, which is expected in June 2002, Baja Fresh will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Wendy's, and maintain its offices in Thousand Oaks, Calif. The transaction has been approved by both companies' board of directors, and is contingent upon customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.
"Baja Fresh is an excellent addition to our company and a great fit for our long-term growth strategy," said Wendy's chairman and CEO Jack Schuessler. "We have been actively pursuing concepts in the rapidly growing, fast-casual restaurant segment, and Baja Fresh is clearly the best in the Mexican category. It is a well-managed company with a focus on restaurant operations, food quality and growth."
"For Wendy's International, the strategic importance of this transaction is that we expect to expand Baja Fresh over the next five years to a total range of 600 to 700 locations. We expect Baja Fresh to provide increasing revenue and income for our company, and to provide excellent long-term return on investment," Schuessler said.