Palladium Equity Partners may finally get to exit Taco Bueno after seven years.

The $1.1 bln buyout of P.F. Chang’s is the year’s biggest restaurant LBO so far

Roark Capital Group, an Atlanta-based buyout firm that specializes in franchise businesses such as restaurants, has raised $462 million for its latest mid-market vehicle, Roark Capital Partners III LP, according to a regulatory filing, and sister magazine Buyouts. The fund has a $1.25 billion target.

The second time may be the charm for Benihana, which has gone up for sale in a slow M&A market.

Private equity firms can barely stop licking their chops — at least, at first. One after another, they’re either scoring mega multiples on, or backing the proverbial truck up for, restaurant deals (sometimes, in the same transaction). Financial sponsors are gobbling up listed restaurants and private companies, taking fried chicken joints and steakhouses to improve [...]

Moelis Capital Partners, the PE arm of Moelis & Co., said Monday that it has acquired CyberCore Technologies. Financial terms weren’t announced. Roark Capital was the seller. Elkridge, Md.-based CyberCore provides IT services to the federal government and intelligence community. FBR & Co. acted as financial advisor to MCP. SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, RBS Citizens and Bank of America provided senior debt financing and Hancock Capital Partners Investment Management provided the mezzanine financing.

CHICAGO, June 13 (Reuters) – Wendy’s/Arby’s Group Inc said it would sell most of struggling roast beef sandwich chain Arby’s Restaurant Group Inc to private equity firm Roark Capital Group for about $130 million in cash. Roark, whose portfolio already includes the Auntie Anne’s, Carvel Ice Cream and Cinnabon chains, will also assume about $190 [...]

Roark Capital is paying about $130 million in cash to buy roast beef sandwich chain Arby’s Restaurant Group Inc., Reuters reported. Current owners Wendy’s/Arby’s Group Inc. will retain 18.5% ownership of Arby’s valued at about $30 million, the company said in a statement. Atlanta-based buyout shop Roark will assume about $190 million in Arby’s debt.

It’s been more than a week since Roark Capital unveiled its takeover of Auntie Anne’s, the pretzel maker, and now we have some deal details.

FOCUS Brands, a Roark portfolio company, is launching a $285 million facility to back its buy of Auntie Anne’s. The deal consists of a $275 million term loan and a $10 million revolver, according to my compadres at Thomson Reuters Loan Pricing Corp.

Succession wasn’t the reason that Sam Beiler sold the pretzel provider to Roark Capital.

Beiler has worked for Auntie Anne’s in various capacities since 1989. Currently Chairman and CEO, Beiler agreed last week to sell the company, which makes nine different types of hand-rolled pretzels, including some covered in cinnamon sugar or in pepperonis. Auntie Anne’s employees will roll, twist and bake the snacks in front of customers.

Beiler, 45, bought Lancaster, Pa.-based-Auntie Anne’s in 2005 from then founders Anne and Jonas Beiler. Sam Beiler isn’t their son but a distant relative, says William Dunn, Auntie Ann’s president and COO.