Olympus Puts Dough in Pizza Hut

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Jan 02, 2012, 06:00 ET

STAMFORD, Conn., Jan. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Stamford, Conn.-based Olympus Partners has acquired NPC International, Inc. ("NPC"), the largest Pizza Hut franchisee and the largest franchisee of any restaurant concept in the United States. The company operates 1,153 Pizza Hut units (approximately 19 percent of the domestic system) in 28 states with significant presence in the Midwest, South and Southeast.

Olympus has a long history of investing in successful restaurant franchisees, including previous investments in the Taco Bell, KFC, Wendy's, Chili's and Golden Corral systems.

Paul Rubin of Olympus Partners commented, "We are excited to be partnering with Jim Schwartz, Troy Cook and the rest of the highly experienced management team at NPC who have a long track record of delivering growth and superior operating results. We are also enthusiastic about investing again with YUM! Brands, this time in supporting Pizza Hut, the leading pizza brand in the U.S."

Founded in 1988, Olympus Partners is a Stamford, Conn.-based private equity firm focused on providing equity capital for middle market management buyouts and for companies needing capital for expansion. Olympus is an active, long-term investor across a broad range of industries, including restaurants, consumer products, healthcare services, financial services and business services.

Olympus manages in excess of $3 billion on behalf of corporate pension funds, endowment funds and state-sponsored retirement programs. The investment in NPC is Olympus' eighth investment out of its $1.5 billion fifth fund.

The Olympus team included Paul Rubin, Evan Eason, Chase Ormond and Jason Allevato.

SOURCE Olympus Partners