PE-backed Kahala acquires Maui Wowi Hawaiian brand

Kahala Brands has bought Maui Wowi Hawaiian, a smoothie and coffee franchise business based in Denver, Colorado. No financial terms were disclosed. Kahala, a quick-service restaurant franchising platform, said the acquisition increases its list of smoothie concepts to four widely recognized brands and to 17 brands in the entire portfolio. It plans to consolidate operations and run franchising activity for the Maui Wowi brand from its headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. Kahala is a portfolio company of Canadian private equity firm Serruya Private Equity, which invests on behalf of the Serruya family. It is also backed by the Delavaco Group.

PRESS RELEASE

Kahala Brands Announces Acquisition Of Maui Wowi Hawaiian

Company Grows Smoothie Footprint to More Than 800 Locations Worldwide

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Nov. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Kahala Brands™ (www.KahalaBrands.com), a global leader in the QSR industry, announced today that it has acquired the premium smoothie and coffee brand Maui Wowi Hawaiian® based in Denver, Colorado. This most recent acquisition expands Kahala Brands’ list of smoothie concepts to four nationally recognized brands and to 17 brands within its entire portfolio. The purchase of Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees and Smoothies particularly plays a role in the strengthening of Kahala Brands’ leadership position in the healthy treats segment.

“Maui Wowi, with 400 mobile carts and 29 standalone retail units operated by 200 franchisees, is a perfect addition to our family of smoothie brands and our portfolio of concepts as whole. This purchase further expands our smoothie footprint to more than 800 locations and allows us to be a part of such a fun concept and fantastic food and flavor profile, where we can bring the great tastes of Hawaii to the mainland and around the world,” said Michael Serruya, chairman and chief executive officer of Kahala Brands.

The first Maui Wowi Hawaiian location opened in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1982 when its founders wanted to bring the freshly blended smoothies of Hawaii that they loved to the mainland. Years later, the brand began franchising in 1997, offering its delicious smoothies to an even wider audience and providing franchisees a unique, fun business model promoting all-natural, healthy, high quality products. Today Maui Wowi not only offers smoothies, but an exclusive line of Kona espresso and cappuccino drinks, as well as a gourmet line of authentic blended coffees from Maui, Kona, Kauai, and Molokai. Maui Wowi Hawaiian truly is a distinct and authentic brand that offers the very best of the Hawaiian Islands.

Kahala Brands will consolidate the corporate operations and run the franchising platform for the brand from its headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona.

About Kahala Brands
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Kahala Brands is one of the fastest growing franchising companies in the world with a portfolio of 17 quick-service restaurant brands with approximately 2700 locations in over 26 countries including Cold Stone Creamery®, Blimpie®, TacoTime™, Samurai Sam’s Teriyaki Grill®, The Great Steak & Potato Company™, NrGize Lifestyle Cafe™, Surf City Squeeze®, Planet Smoothie®, tasti D-lite™, Johnnie’s New York Pizzeria™, Cereality®, Kahala Coffee Traders® , Frullati Cafe & Bakery™, Rollerz™, Ranch One® and America’s Taco Shop®.

For more information about Kahala Brands, visit www.KahalaBrands.com.

Photo courtesy of Burbank Town Center