Roark Capital Management, LLC, also known as Roark Capital Group or simply Roark Capital, is an American private equity firm with around $37 billion in assets under management. The firm is focused on leveraged buyout investments in middle-market companies, primarily in the franchise/multi-location, restaurant and food, health and wellness, and business services sectors. It is named for Howard Roark, the protagonist in Ayn Rand's novel The Fountainhead. The firm says that its name is not meant to connote any particular political philosophy but instead signify the firm's admiration for the iconoclastic qualities of independence and self-assurance embodied by the central figure in The Fountainhead.
History
The firm, which is based in Atlanta, Georgia, was founded in 2001 by the current Managing Partner, Neal K. Aronson. Senior team members include President Paul D. Ginsberg, Chief Investment Officer Erik O. Morris, and Managing Directors Timothy Armstrong, Stephen D. Aronson, Dennis Gies, Clay Harmon, Geoff Hill, Kevin Hofmann, Ian Picache, Gregory Smith, Sarah Spiegel, Michael Thompson, and David Wierman.
Prior to founding Roark Capital Group in 2001, Aronson was a co-founder of U.S. Franchise Systems in 1995. Roark currently is investing out of its fifth institutional private equity fund.
Investments
Roark's current and former portfolio companies include:
Current investments
Anytime Fitness
The Cheesecake Factory
CKE Restaurants: (Carl's Jr., Hardee's, Green Burrito & Red Burrito) Culver's (minority investment) Divisions Maintenance Group Driven Brands: 1-800-Radiator & A/C, Abra, CARSTAR, International Car Wash Group/ICWG, Maaco, Meineke, Merlin 200,000 Mile Shops, Xpress Lube, Take 5 Oil Change, Pro Oil Change, Econo Lube & Tune Drybar Fitness Connection Focus Brands: Auntie Anne's, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, McAlister's Deli, Moe's Southwest Grill, Schlotzsky's Great Expressions Dental Centers Home Service Store Inspire Brands: Arby's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic Drive-In, Jimmy John's (sale pending), Dunkin', Mister Donut, Baskin-Robbins Installation Made Easy Jim 'N Nick's BBQ Restaurants Massage Envy Miller's Ale House Orangetheory Fitness Pet Retail Brands: (Bosley's, Pet Supermarket, PetValu) Petstores Primrose Schools Self Esteem Brands: (Basecamp Fitness, The Bar Method, Waxing the city) Solterra Recycling ServiceMaster Brands: (ServiceMaster Clean, ServiceMaster Restore, AmeriSpec, Furniture Medic, Merry Maids) Subway (pending) Mathnasium Aftermath Services
Former investments
Atkins Nutritionals
Batteries Plus Bulbs
Cyber Core Technologies
Fastsigns
GFL Environmental
Il Fornaio: (Corner Bakery Cafe) Money Mailer Movie Gallery Naf Naf Grill Peachtree Business Products PSC Info Group Qualawash United States Arbitrage Finance II USFS Waste Pro Wingstop