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Fox Restaurant Concepts sold to The Cheesecake Factory for over $300 million

Fox Restaurant Concepts sold to The Cheesecake Factory for over $300 million

Aug 1, 20191 min read

American restaurant company The Cheesecake Factory, Inc. entered a definitive agreement to acquire Fox Restaurant Concepts, which recently celebrated 20 years in Tucson.

According to a press release issued on Wednesday, FRC will operate as “a wholly-owned subsidiary.”

“This partnership will be the first of its kind for the restaurant industry,” FRC founder Sam Fox said in the release. “David Overton and I quickly realized the magic occurring between our organizations while we worked through North Italia’s integration. With our aligned cultures and philosophies, The Cheesecake Factory is the right partner to embrace our creative spirit, enabling us to innovate concepts, while providing the infrastructure and capital to scale.”

The transactions will complete for $308 million in cash upon closing, Business Wire reported. Additionally, an additional $45 million will be due ratably over the next four years.

Fox Restaurant Concepts brands in Tucson include:

  • Blanco Tacos + Tequila
  • Culinary Dropout
  • North Italia
  • Wildflower
  • Zinburger

In 2015, FRC sold its Sauce Pizza & Wine brand.

For more information, read the Business Wire article The Cheesecake Factory to Acquire Fox Restaurant Concepts and Remaining Interest in North Italia.

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Article written by:

Jackie Tran

Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.

An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.

Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.

If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.

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Join the Tucson Foodie team for a very special dinner at @sawmillrun. A culinary journey from the Sonoran Desert to the summit of Mount Lemmon.❤️ 

Tickets in bio.
MENU👇🌲

AMUSE:
Forest Floor
Hazelnut Soil • Whipped Goat Cheese • Black Garlic • Pickled Mushroom • Crispy Mushroom • Mountain Herbs

FIRST COURSE: 
Desert Oasis
Compressed Melon • Whipped Feta • Chiltepin Vinaigrette • Pickled Cucumber • Toasted Pepitas • Mint

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Campfire Embers
Roasted Bone Marrow • House Chorizo • Pickled Shallot • Cilantro • House-Made Blue Corn Tortilla

THIRD COURSE: 
Juniper Ridge
Juniper-Smoked Pork Belly • Charred Corn Succotash • Prickly Pear Gastrique • Dehydrated Jalapeños

PALATE CLEANSER:
Aspen Breeze
House-Made Lemon Sorbet • Candied Lemon • Fresh Mint

FOURTH COURSE: 
Granite Peak
Mesquite-Grilled Vera Earl Beef • Smoked Tomato Chimichurri • Charred Heirloom Tomato • Crispy Shallot

DESSERT: 
Summer on Mount Lemmon
Arizona Honeycomb Ice Cream • Roasted Willcox Peaches • Huckleberry Compote • Almond Streusel • Honey Tuile

#tucsonevents #tucsonfoodie #mtlemmonJoin the Tucson Foodie team for a very special dinner at @sawmillrun. A culinary journey from the Sonoran Desert to the summit of Mount Lemmon.❤️ Tickets in bio. MENU👇🌲 AMUSE: Forest Floor Hazelnut Soil • Whipped Goat Cheese • Black Garlic • Pickled Mushroom • Crispy Mushroom • Mountain Herbs FIRST COURSE: Desert Oasis Compressed Melon • Whipped Feta • Chiltepin Vinaigrette • Pickled Cucumber • Toasted Pepitas • Mint SECOND COURSE: Campfire Embers Roasted Bone Marrow • House Chorizo • Pickled Shallot • Cilantro • House-Made Blue Corn Tortilla THIRD COURSE: Juniper Ridge Juniper-Smoked Pork Belly • Charred Corn Succotash • Prickly Pear Gastrique • Dehydrated Jalapeños PALATE CLEANSER: Aspen Breeze House-Made Lemon Sorbet • Candied Lemon • Fresh Mint FOURTH COURSE: Granite Peak Mesquite-Grilled Vera Earl Beef • Smoked Tomato Chimichurri • Charred Heirloom Tomato • Crispy Shallot DESSERT: Summer on Mount Lemmon Arizona Honeycomb Ice Cream • Roasted Willcox Peaches • Huckleberry Compote • Almond Streusel • Honey Tuile #tucsonevents #tucsonfoodie #mtlemmonIT’S WEEK 11! 

Steak & Carne Asada Week runs through Aug 2 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🥩🔥

🏆THIS WEEK’S PRIZES: 
•Tickets to Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge
•(2) $50 @asadataqueria gift cards
•(2) $100 Visa gift cards
•$20 gift card to @ghinisfrenchcaffe 
•4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the @desertmuseum 
•(1) gift card to @redbird_scratchkitchen 
•(1) $50 gift card to Charro Concepts

Upload your receipts: summer.tucsonfoodie.com
ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. 

Let’s support local ❤️

#tucsonfoodie #tucsonazIT’S WEEK 11! Steak & Carne Asada Week runs through Aug 2 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🥩🔥 🏆THIS WEEK’S PRIZES: •Tickets to Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge •(2) $50 @asadataqueria gift cards •(2) $100 Visa gift cards •$20 gift card to @ghinisfrenchcaffe •4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the @desertmuseum •(1) gift card to @redbird_scratchkitchen •(1) $50 gift card to Charro Concepts Upload your receipts: summer.tucsonfoodie.com ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. Let’s support local ❤️ #tucsonfoodie #tucsonazGIVEAWAY! We’re giving away 3 pairs of VIP tickets to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival on Saturday, August 8!🎉

Experience an unforgettable evening featuring tasting experiences from 30+ celebrated Southwest chefs, showcasing the rich flavors and traditions of Mexican cuisine. Enjoy everything from heritage moles and handmade tortillas to fresh ceviches, carne asada, cochinita pibil, live music, art, and more at @Westinlapaloma. VIP tickets include early entry at 5 PM plus exclusive access to the VIP Lounge.

How to enter:
• Follow @artstateaz, @westinlapaloma & @tucsonfoodie
• Like this post
• Tag the friend you’d bring (unlimited entries!)

Winners will be randomly selected on August 3.

Looking to buy tickets instead? Head to the link in @artstateaz’s bio and use code 15FOODIE26 for 15% off your tickets!

21+ event.

#tucsonfoodie #tucsoneventsGIVEAWAY! We’re giving away 3 pairs of VIP tickets to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival on Saturday, August 8!🎉 Experience an unforgettable evening featuring tasting experiences from 30+ celebrated Southwest chefs, showcasing the rich flavors and traditions of Mexican cuisine. Enjoy everything from heritage moles and handmade tortillas to fresh ceviches, carne asada, cochinita pibil, live music, art, and more at @Westinlapaloma. VIP tickets include early entry at 5 PM plus exclusive access to the VIP Lounge. How to enter: • Follow @artstateaz, @westinlapaloma & @tucsonfoodie • Like this post • Tag the friend you’d bring (unlimited entries!) Winners will be randomly selected on August 3. Looking to buy tickets instead? Head to the link in @artstateaz’s bio and use code 15FOODIE26 for 15% off your tickets! 21+ event. #tucsonfoodie #tucsoneventsIT’S WEEK 11! 

Steak & Carne Asada Week starts today and runs through Aug 2 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🥩🔥

🏆THIS WEEK’S PRIZES: 
•Tickets to Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge
•(2) $50 @asadataqueria gift cards
•(2) $100 Visa gift cards
•$20 gift card to @ghinisfrenchcaffe 
•4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the @desertmuseum 
•(1) gift card to @redbird_scratchkitchen 
•(1) $50 gift card to Charro Concepts

ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. Some suggested places to visit this week: @ameliastucson, @pinnaclepeaktucson, @casadelrioaz, @elcorraltucson, @agavehousetucson, @calletepa, @asadataqueria, @cielostucson 

Let’s support local ❤️

#tucsonfoodie #tucsonazIT’S WEEK 11! Steak & Carne Asada Week starts today and runs through Aug 2 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🥩🔥 🏆THIS WEEK’S PRIZES: •Tickets to Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge •(2) $50 @asadataqueria gift cards •(2) $100 Visa gift cards •$20 gift card to @ghinisfrenchcaffe •4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the @desertmuseum •(1) gift card to @redbird_scratchkitchen •(1) $50 gift card to Charro Concepts ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. Some suggested places to visit this week: @ameliastucson, @pinnaclepeaktucson, @casadelrioaz, @elcorraltucson, @agavehousetucson, @calletepa, @asadataqueria, @cielostucson Let’s support local ❤️ #tucsonfoodie #tucsonazFor nearly 20 years, Diana and Jun Arai have helped shape Tucson’s Japanese dining scene.

When @ginzatucson opened in 2008, it became the first restaurant in Tucson to feature an izakaya style menu, bringing Japan’s popular shareable dining experience to the city. Today, it’s still the only restaurant in town with a dedicated izakaya menu, along with one of Tucson’s largest curated selections of sake, Japanese beer, and shochu.

In 2018, the couple expanded again with @raijinramen, Tucson’s first restaurant dedicated entirely to ramen. Known for its rich tonkotsu broths and seasonal specialties, Raijin helped pave the way for the city’s growing ramen scene.

From fresh fish flown in daily from Japan and California to chef’s choice omakase experiences, Ginza continues to showcase authentic Japanese cuisine while Jun and Diana regularly travel to Japan to bring back the latest culinary trends.

📍 Ginza Sushi & Izakaya: 5425 N. Kolb Rd.
📍 Raijin Ramen: 2955 E. Speedway Blvd.

Read @ediebjarolim’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com.

Photos by @sea_lyon 
#tucsonlocal #tucsonazFor nearly 20 years, Diana and Jun Arai have helped shape Tucson’s Japanese dining scene. When @ginzatucson opened in 2008, it became the first restaurant in Tucson to feature an izakaya style menu, bringing Japan’s popular shareable dining experience to the city. Today, it’s still the only restaurant in town with a dedicated izakaya menu, along with one of Tucson’s largest curated selections of sake, Japanese beer, and shochu. In 2018, the couple expanded again with @raijinramen, Tucson’s first restaurant dedicated entirely to ramen. Known for its rich tonkotsu broths and seasonal specialties, Raijin helped pave the way for the city’s growing ramen scene. From fresh fish flown in daily from Japan and California to chef’s choice omakase experiences, Ginza continues to showcase authentic Japanese cuisine while Jun and Diana regularly travel to Japan to bring back the latest culinary trends. 📍 Ginza Sushi & Izakaya: 5425 N. Kolb Rd. 📍 Raijin Ramen: 2955 E. Speedway Blvd. Read @ediebjarolim’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com. Photos by @sea_lyon #tucsonlocal #tucsonazBreakfast & Brunch Week runs through July 26 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer! 

🏆🍳☀️❤️🥞THIS WEEK’S PRIZES: 
• Tickets to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival 
• (2) $100 Visa gift cards 
• $20 gift card to @ghinisfrenchcaffe 
• 4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the @desertmuseum 
• $25 gift card to @beyondbreadbakerycafe 

ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. Some suggested places to visit this week: 

@5pointstucson 
@ajocafetucson 
@bajacafetucson 
@barista_del_barrio 
@bluewillow.tucson 
@bobos_az 
@theofficialbreadandbutter 
@buendia.breakfast.lunch 
@cafealacarttucson 
@cafepassetucson 
@cappysbreakfastcafe 
@hotelcongress 
@delcielotamal 
Frank’s Restaurant 
@ghinisfrenchcaffe 
@gourmetgirlsglutenfree 
Gus Balon’s Restaurant 
@knellersdelicatessen 
@lachaiteria 
@lebuzzcaffe 
@lebuzzcaffeplaza 
@localetucson 
@lovinspoonfulstucson 
@nookdowntown 
@prepandpastry 
@raptorcanyoncafe 
@rencoffeehouse 
@sunny_daze_cafe 
@teaspoontucson 
@coronetrestaurants 
@thehungryfoxrestaurant 
@themonicatucson 
@tohonochulgardenbistro 
@tumerico 
@urbanfreshaz 

#tucsonfoodie #tucsonazBreakfast & Brunch Week runs through July 26 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer! 🏆🍳☀️❤️🥞THIS WEEK’S PRIZES: • Tickets to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival • (2) $100 Visa gift cards • $20 gift card to @ghinisfrenchcaffe • 4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the @desertmuseum • $25 gift card to @beyondbreadbakerycafe ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. Some suggested places to visit this week: @5pointstucson @ajocafetucson @bajacafetucson @barista_del_barrio @bluewillow.tucson @bobos_az @theofficialbreadandbutter @buendia.breakfast.lunch @cafealacarttucson @cafepassetucson @cappysbreakfastcafe @hotelcongress @delcielotamal Frank’s Restaurant @ghinisfrenchcaffe @gourmetgirlsglutenfree Gus Balon’s Restaurant @knellersdelicatessen @lachaiteria @lebuzzcaffe @lebuzzcaffeplaza @localetucson @lovinspoonfulstucson @nookdowntown @prepandpastry @raptorcanyoncafe @rencoffeehouse @sunny_daze_cafe @teaspoontucson @coronetrestaurants @thehungryfoxrestaurant @themonicatucson @tohonochulgardenbistro @tumerico @urbanfreshaz #tucsonfoodie #tucsonaz

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