LOS ANGELES — Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (LLCP), a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, has acquired Nothing Bundt Cakes. Based in Addison, Texas, Nothing Bundt Cakes is a franchisor of gourmet bakeries offering specialty Bundt cakes and related merchandise items in more than 175 locations in the United States and Canada. The company’s products are hand-crafted and baked on-site with ingredients and proprietary formulations distributed by its in-house distribution operation.
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
“We are excited to partner with Dena Tripp (co-founder), Kyle Smith (president), and the rest of the management team who have led the company through a period of rapid growth,” said Lauren Leichtman, co-founder and chief executive officer of LLCP. “We look forward to working with management as they continue to increase system-wide sales, expand NBC’s unit count and solidify NBC’s position as the market leading franchisor of gourmet bakeries.”
Ms. Tripp will retain significant ownership in the company and will serve as chairperson on the board of directors.
“LLCP’s long history of successfully investing in franchise businesses was attractive in selecting our new financial partner,” Ms. Tripp said. “LLCP’s franchise expertise and resources will be critical in helping us move into our next phase of growth.”
Mr. Smith added, “My management team and I are very excited to partner with LLCP. Their financial and strategic expertise will add significant value for our bakery owners and to the company as a whole.”
Ms. Tripp and co-founder Debbie Shwetz joined forces in 1997 to form Nothing Bundt Cakes. The company’s products include 8- and 10-inch cakes, tiered cakes, bundtlets, bundtlet towers and bundtinis (bite-size Bundt cakes).
LLCP has invested in several food-based companies over the years, including Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, Bertucci’s Corp., Cici’s Pizza, Custom Food Products, Overhill Farms, Inc., SFI Holding and Wetzel’s Pretzels.