Darden Restaurants, Inc. announced on April 24 that it has completed the acquisition of Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen (Cheddar’s) for $780 million in an all-cash transaction from its stockholders including private equity firms L Catterton and Oak Investment Partners. This follows the agreement that was announced on March 27.
The transaction price is subject to customary post-closing adjustments. Darden also paid $10 million for certain Cheddar’s transaction-related tax attributes and reimbursed its equityholders for pre-closing capital expenditures on new restaurants under development.
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Darden funded the acquisition with the proceeds of a $500 million offering of 3.850 percent senior notes due 2027, which were issued on April 18, 2017, together with cash on hand.
With the acquisition now complete, Cheddar’s joins Darden’s portfolio of differentiated brands which also includes Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Bahama Breeze and Eddie V’s.
Cheddar’s features high-quality, made-from-scratch food at compelling prices in a polished yet warm atmosphere. Today, Cheddar’s has 165 locations, including 140 owned and 25 franchised, across 28 states.
