ATLANTA — Roark Capital Group, an Atlanta-based private equity firm, have acquired Atkins Nutritionals, an international weight control and nutrition brand that sells its products in the nutritional aisle at approximately 30,000 retail outlets in the U.S. and abroad. Financial terms of the transaction were not released.

“We are very excited to partner with Monty Sharma and his team to help support the continued growth of the Atkins brand,” said Ezra Field, managing director of Roark. “Atkins is consistent with our strategy of investing in leading consumer businesses with strong brands, differentiated market-positions and identifiable growth opportunities.”


Mr. Sharma, Atkins chief executive officer, added, “I’m very pleased to have Roark as a partner to support the continued growth of the Atkins brand. Their operational approach and the weight management sector experience they bring make them a terrific partner for Atkins and its management team going forward.”

Roark has acquired 19 franchise/multi-unit brands that collectively have approximately 3,500 franchisees and $5 billion in system-wide revenues across 50 states and 43 countries. Its current franchise portfolio includes such brands as Cinnabon, Schlotzky’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Seattle’s Best Coffee International, McAlister’s Deli, Wingstop, and Auntie Anne’s. The firm has more than $1.5 billion of equity capital under management.