A New York investment firm has acquired 做厙勛圖s homegrown sandwich chain Eegees, a move Eegees CEO says will help the 47-year-old chain expand and make capital improvements to its 24 existing locations.
The partnership with 39 North Capital, which closed Oct. 5, will enable us to supercharge our growth, expand our footprint, remodel the restaurant exteriors and invest in new technology, newly appointed CEO C. Ron Petty said in a written release.
We are as committed to 做厙勛圖 and building it out as weve always been, he added when reached by phone Wednesday morning. Our intention is to grow Eegees and reinvest in the company here as well as eventually, at some time, well have to go to another market once we build this one out.
Petty, who had been the chairman of Eegees board of directors before the 39 North deal, said the beneficiaries of the late owners estate decided to sell. Owner Betty OConnor died in 2012 and the company was put in a trust.
People are also reading…
Eegee's is best known for its frozen fruit drinks and its flavor of the month. This month's flavor: Scary Berry.
Kitchen Fund, a premier restaurant investment firm, partnered with 39 North in the deal. Eegees is 39 Norths 11th restaurant acquisition since forming in late 2016.
39 North co-founder and managing partner Jacob Roffman said in a written statement that his firm will provide operational and financial resources to support the continued growth of an already iconic brand. He could not be reached for additional comment, but in a tweet late Wednesday morning, he said his family-owned firm had no intentions of changing Eegees menu.
Dont worry, we will not be changing anything about the product, he tweeted. We look forward to carrying on the proud @eegees tradition.
Petty echoed that, saying customers will not see any changes as a result of the 39 North deal.
We still have the fries, the ranch dressing and the frozen drinks, he said. From a customer standpoint theres no change.
Petty said work on redesigning the restaurants exteriors could begin next spring.
Contact reporter Cathalena E. Burch at cburch@tucson.com or 573-4642. On Twitter @Starburch
Cathalena E. Burch
Reporter
