Gourmet News

Thompson Street Acquires NJ’s Bubbakoo’s Burritos

Published June 23, 2025

Thompson Street Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in St. Louis, has acquired Bubbakoo’s Burritos, a New Jersey-based franchisor of fast-casual Mexican-fusion restaurants. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 2008 in Wall Township, N.J. by restaurant industry veterans Bill Hart and Paul Altero, Bubbakoo’s delivers a bold twist on traditional Mexican fare. With a focus on made-to-order food and a vibrant restaurant experience, Bubbakoo’s began franchising in 2015. The brand has since expanded to more than 130 locations across 15 states, primarily along the East Coast and Midwest.

This acquisition comes at a time when the fast-casual category continues to outperform broader foodservice segments, driven by evolving consumer preferences for flavorful, customizable cuisine and growing investor appetite for scalable restaurant concepts.

“Bubbakoo’s has created an innovative and compelling brand that resonates with a broad and growing customer base,” said Bob Dunn, Managing Partner at TSCP. “Bill and Paul have built something special—an exciting concept with strong franchisee relationships, consistent unit growth, and a passionate following. We are thrilled to partner with the team as they enter this next phase of expansion.”

“We see tremendous opportunity to support Bubbakoo’s continued growth by investing in technology, brand development, infrastructure, and franchisee support systems,” said Joe St. Geme, Managing Director at TSCP. “The Company has built a strong foundation, and our team is eager to help accelerate growth while maintaining the culture and values that have made Bubbakoo’s a success.”

“From our earliest days in New Jersey to now having more than 130 locations across the country, we’ve been incredibly proud to see our vision resonate with guests, franchisees, and communities,” said Mr. Hart, Co-Founder of Bubbakoo’s. “Our growth has always been grounded in our commitment to food quality, hospitality and a culture that values individuality and innovation.”

“Thompson Street Capital Partners brings deep experience in scaling founder-led businesses and shares our passion for supporting franchisees and delivering great experiences to customers,” added Altero, Co-Founder of Bubbakoo’s. “With their support, we’re confident Bubbakoo’s can accelerate its growth into new markets, invest in technology and infrastructure, and continue building a world-class franchise system.”

Sidley Austin acted as legal advisor to TSCP.

Thompson Street Capital Partners (tscp.com) is a middle-market private equity firm that helps transform already exceptional businesses into market leaders. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, TSCP invests globally in the life sciences and healthcare, software and technology, business and consumer services and products sectors. TSCP partners with management teams to increase value by accelerating growth, both organically and via complementary acquisitions.

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Campbell’s Mourns Longtime Board Member Mary D. Malone

Published June 23, 2025

The Campbell’s Company and the company’s board of directors mourn Mary Alice Dorrance Malone who recently passed away at the age of 75. Malone was the longest-tenured member of Campbell’s board of directors with 35 years of service.

Malone was the granddaughter of Dr. John T. Dorrance, the inventor of condensed soup and President of the company from 1914-1930, and the daughter of John T. Dorrance Jr., a former chair of the company from 1962-1984. She was elected to the Board in 1990 and served with distinction on many of the board’s standing committees, most recently on the Governance and Compensation & Organization committees.

Keith R. McLoughlin, chair of the board, said, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mary Alice. As a descendent of the company’s founder and a significant long-term shareholder, her contributions to grow and protect Campbell’s legacy were immeasurable. She will be missed in our board meetings and as a friend and colleague. On behalf of my fellow board members, we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.”

Malone was an entrepreneur, a private investor, and a philanthropist, having served for many years on the boards of several nonprofit organizations and actively participated in many philanthropic endeavors. Her passion and primary business were equestrian sports. She was President of Iron Spring Farm horse breeding and performance centers in Pennsylvania and Florida, which she founded in 1976.

Mick Beekhuizen, Campbell’s president and chief executive pfficer, said, “Mary Alice was a highly committed director and helped guide the company through many chapters. Her extensive knowledge of Campbell’s history, organization and culture, and her love for our food and iconic brands were invaluable to management and the board. Her positive impact on the company will last for generations to come. Everyone at Campbell’s offers our deepest condolences to her loved ones.”

Malone is survived by two daughters.

Funeral arrangements are not public. The family respectfully requests privacy during this time of mourning.

The board will be considering the election of a new member.

For 155 years, The Campbell’s Company has been connecting people through food they love. Headquartered in Camden, N.J. since 1869, generations of consumers have trusted Campbell’s to provide delicious and affordable food and beverages. Today, the company is a North American focused brand powerhouse, generating fiscal 2024 net sales of $9.6 billion across two divisions: Meals & Beverages and Snacks. The Campbell’s portfolio of 16 leadership brands includes: Campbell’s, Cape Cod, Chunky, Goldfish, Kettle Brand, Lance, Late July, Pace, Pacific Foods, Pepperidge Farm, Prego, Rao’s, Snack Factory pretzel crisps, Snyder’s of Hanover, Swanson and V8.

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Black Rifle Coffee Names Amigh as CFO

Published June 23, 2025

BRC Inc., a veteran-founded, mission-driven premium beverage company Black Rifle Coffee, has appointed Matthew Amigh as Chief Financial Officer, effective July 7. Amigh brings more than 25 years of financial, operational, and supply chain leadership across public and private consumer businesses and will play a key role in BRCC’s efforts to drive profitable growth and deliver long-term shareholder value.

Prior to joining BRCC, Amigh served as Chief Financial Officer of Ethos Pet Nutrition. He was previously CFO and Interim CEO of Bulletproof 360, Inc., where he led the company’s return to profitability and its eventual sale. He also held executive leadership roles at Lenny & Larry’s and Raybern Foods.

While at Raybern Foods, Amigh served as both CFO and COO, overseeing a comprehensive transformation and guiding the company through a successful strategic exit. Earlier in his career, he held senior finance roles at Mars, Del Monte Foods, and Kraft Heinz, where he led large-scale teams and drove operational efficiencies across global markets. His background spans both traditional retail and direct-to-consumer business models, and he has successfully scaled companies ranging from $50 million to over $4 billion in revenue.

Amigh is a Certified Public Accountant and a U.S. Army veteran, having served in both enlisted and officer ranks. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business economics, with concentrations in accounting and management, from the University of Pittsburgh; an MBA from Robert Morris University; and completed executive leadership training at the Wharton School.

“Matt brings a rare combination of financial discipline, operational depth, and mission-driven leadership to Black Rifle Coffee,” said Chris Mondzelewski, CEO of Black Rifle Coffee Company. “He has helped build and scale high-performance consumer businesses, and his experience will be instrumental as we sharpen execution, improve returns, and deliver on our long-term vision.”

Black Rifle Coffee Company is a veteran-founded premium coffee company and lifestyle brand serving beverages to people who love America. Founded in 2014 by Green Beret Evan Hafer, Black Rifle develops their explosive roast profiles with the same mission focus they learned while serving in the military. BRCC is committed to supporting veterans, active-duty military, first responders and the American way of life.

To learn more, visit www.blackriflecoffee.com, subscribe to the BRCC newsletter, or follow along on social media.

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