Roark
Private equityAtlanta
Also known as Roark Capital Management, Llc
Investment thesis
Roark invests in consumer and business service companies, specializing in franchise and franchise-like business models. The firm positions itself as a trusted partner for management teams and business owners, favoring a 'win-win-win' approach in which all stakeholders β customers, employees, franchisees, strategic partners, service providers, management, and shareholders β benefit from the growth of its businesses. It seeks partnerships with entrepreneurs and executives who share this collaborative vision. Roark's portfolio spans food and restaurants (its largest sector), consumer and business services, health, wellness and fitness, and education and youth activities.
Source: firm website, verified Sep 1, 2026.
What they invest in
from 44 of 83 portfolio companiesConsumer Γ38FoodTech Γ13Sports Tech Γ11Wellness & Fitness Γ10Retail Tech Γ6Mobility & Transportation Γ5EdTech Γ4Enterprise Software Γ4
HQs:United StatesΓ28
Who they back
founder profiles across 8 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founderΓ32 foundersΓ44+ foundersΓ1
Investments Β· 83 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathAbra is a car wash franchise network operating across North America that has dedicated charitable efforts to supporting cystic fibrosis research and patient care through its foundation and seasonal fundraising campaigns.
B2B MarketplacesConsumerImpact & Social GoodMobility & TransportationFridley, US
Roland D. Benjamin(Co-founder)
Anytime Fitness operates a franchise network of 24-hour gyms with 6,000+ locations, offering members personalized fitness plans, personal and group training, coaching, and app-based progress tracking.
ConsumerSports TechWellness & Fitness
Arby's is a fast food restaurant chain known for its meat-and-cheese sandwiches, including roast beef and Angus cheesesteaks.
ConsumerFoodTech
Co-investorsStellus Capital Management
ATI provides coaching and consulting services to automotive repair shop owners, helping them improve profitability and business operations.
Enterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkSaaSBaltimore, US
The Bar Method is a fitness studio chain offering low-impact barre workout classes that combine cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises.
ConsumerSports TechWellness & FitnessSan Francisco, US
Burr DiehlCarl Diehl
Co-investorsBuilders Fund
Baskin-Robbins is an ice cream retail chain that sells ice cream, cakes, and beverages such as its Cappy drink, offering in-store pickup and delivery.
ConsumerFoodTechRetail Tech
Buffalo Wild Wings is a restaurant chain serving chicken wings, fries, and dips, with ordering available online and through its app.
ConsumerFoodTech
Owner of Carl's Jr and Hardee's
Corner Bakery Cafe is a casual dining establishment that serves handcrafted breads, sandwiches, salads, soups, and other cafe fare with a focus on fresh ingredients and daily preparation.
ConsumerFoodTechChicago, US
Dave's Hot Chicken is a restaurant brand specializing in spicy fried chicken sandwiches and tenders that began as a food cart in East Hollywood.
ConsumerFoodTechLos Angeles, US
DaveArmanTommyGary
Division Services Management (DMG) provides facility maintenance services to commercial, industrial, and residential multisite organizations across the United States.
Construction TechEnterprise SoftwareSaaSCincinnati, US
Driven Brands operates a portfolio of franchised automotive service brands providing oil changes, maintenance, collision repair, and auto glass services to retail and commercial customers across the United States.
ConsumerMobility & TransportationRetail TechSan Antonio, US
Sam Meineke(Founder)Tony Martino(Founder)
Co-investorsKSLStride Consumer Partners
FASTSIGNS operates a franchise network in the signage and graphics industry, offering entrepreneurs and business owners the opportunity to run signage and visual marketing centers.
Marketing Tech
Co-investorsLevine Leichtman
Fitness Connection operates gyms offering strength equipment, studio classes, and amenities such as sauna and turf areas, along with a mobile app for check-in, class booking, and progress tracking.
ConsumerSports TechWellness & Fitness
Co-investorsLnk
GoTo Foods is a foodservice company committed to diversity and inclusive workplace practices.
ConsumerFoodTechAtlanta, US
Omer Gajial(Chief Executive Officer)in
GPRS provides subsurface and reality-capture services including ground penetrating radar, utility locating, concrete scanning, video pipe inspection, leak detection, and 3D laser scanning with BIM modeling for architects, engineers, contractors, and facility managers.
Construction TechPropTechSaaS
Jimmy John's is a sandwich restaurant chain that operates through a franchise model.
ConsumerE-commerceFoodTech
John Bowie(President, Inspire Company Restaurants)
Installation Made Easy provides enterprise software for national retailers to develop, operate, and manage home improvement programs.
Enterprise SoftwarePropTechRetail TechSaaS
KE Camps operates summer camp programs at country clubs across the United States, serving children of club members and guests.
ConsumerEdTech
Massage Envy is a franchised chain of wellness locations offering therapeutic massage, assisted stretch, facials, and advanced skin services such as chemical peels and dermaplaning to consumers.
ConsumerWellness & Fitness
Co-investorsPrinceton
Co-investorsACE & Company
Meineke operates a network of locally-owned automotive repair and maintenance shops across North America.
ConsumerRetail TechHouston, US
Co-investorsHalifax Group
Miller's Ale House is a sports-themed casual dining restaurant chain serving entrees, beers, and cocktails, with dining and event options such as fantasy football draft parties.
ConsumerJupiter, US
Co-investorsKarpReilly
Naf Naf is a fast-casual restaurant chain serving authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, including handmade shawarma, falafel, and daily-baked pitas.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTechNaperville, US
Sahar Sander(Founder)
Nothing Bundt Cakes is a specialty cake bakery chain with over 840 locations across the United States, offering custom Bundt cakes in multiple flavors with various sizes and designs.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTechLas Vegas, US
Dena TrippinDebbie Shwetz
Co-investorsLevine Leichtman
Orangetheory Fitness operates a chain of boutique fitness studios offering group workouts combining full-body strength training and cardio, guided by coaches and OTconnect technology that adapts to each member's level.
ConsumerSports TechWellness & Fitness
Co-investorsHalifax Group
Primrose Schools operates a national system of accredited private preschools and child care facilities serving families seeking early childhood education.
ConsumerEdTech
Amy Jackson(Chief Franchise Officer)Greg Foglesong(Chief Commercial Officer)inKristin Goran(Chief Legal Officer)inRob Gray(Chief Financial Officer)inPam Turner(Chief of Staff and Chief Information Officer)in
BoardDavid P. Berg(Board Member (former CEO))
Purpose Brands is a franchisor of health, fitness, and wellness brands, licensing and operating franchise concepts for franchisees and consumers worldwide.
ConsumerSports TechWellness & Fitness
SafeSplash operates swim schools offering learn-to-swim lessons for all ages and abilities, from infants and toddlers to adults and competitive swimmers, with a focus on water safety and self-rescue skills.
ConsumerSports TechWellness & Fitness
Self Esteem Brands (Purpose Brands) is a franchisor operating health and wellness brands, offering domestic and international franchise opportunities to partners.
ConsumerWellness & Fitness
ServiceMaster Brands is a franchisor of needs-based home and commercial services, operating six brands through more than 3,200 franchisees across 4,600+ locations.
ConsumerMarketplaces
Owner of ServiceMaster Restore, ServiceMaster Clean, Merry Maids, and Two Men and a Truck
ServiceMaster Clean provides commercial cleaning services to businesses throughout the United States and Canada across industries including office buildings, healthcare facilities, and warehouses.
Construction TechEnterprise SoftwareChicago, US
Marion E. Wade
Sonic Drive-In is a fast-food restaurant chain known for its drive-in service, offering menu items and promotional deals such as discounted corn dogs.
ConsumerFoodTech
Subway is a fast-food restaurant chain that sells submarine sandwiches, sides, drinks, and catering, with online and in-app ordering plus a "Sub Club" loyalty program.
ConsumerFoodTech
Co-investorsThe Whitesholding Capital
Take 5 operates a chain of quick oil change and vehicle maintenance service centers where customers remain in their vehicles during service.
ConsumerMobility & Transportation
The Cheesecake Factory is a casual dining restaurant chain known for an extensive menu of 250+ dishes prepared fresh from scratch daily, along with desserts and cheesecakes.
ConsumerFoodTechLos Angeles, US
Evelyn OvertonDavid Overton
US Sports Camps operates youth and adult sports training camps across multiple sports and locations.
ConsumerSports Tech
Waxing the City operates a chain of hair removal studios staffed by certified Cerologist technicians trained in proprietary waxing techniques.
ConsumerWellness & Fitness
Youth Enrichment Brands operates a portfolio of youth activity and enrichment brands designed to help children build confidence, resilience, and joy through real-world development and hands-on experiences.
ConsumerCreator EconomyEdTechFuture of WorkSports TechNashville, US
Rob Price(CEO)in
Youth Enrichment Brands operates a portfolio of youth activity brands designed to build children's confidence, resilience, and joy through enrichment programming.
ConsumerEdTechSports TechWellness & FitnessNashville, US
Rob Price(CEO)in
Fund performance Β· per public LP disclosures Β· 5
as of Sep 2025| Fund | Vintage | Committed | Net IRR | TVPI | DPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roark Capital Partners VILPs: Oregon Public Employees Retirement System, Empire State Development β New York Ventures, Los Angeles City Employees' Retirement System +1 more | 2021 | β | 17.5% | 1.47x | 0.15x |
| Roark Capital Partners II Side CarLPs: Los Angeles City Employees' Retirement System | 2018 | β | 13.0% | 1.93x | 0.17x |
| Roark Capital Partners VLPs: Oregon Public Employees Retirement System, Los Angeles City Employees' Retirement System, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation +2 more | 2018 | β | 11.2% | 1.56x | 0.25x |
| Roark Capital Partners IV, L.P.LPs: Washington State Investment Board, Oregon Public Employees Retirement System, Santa Barbara County Employees' Retirement System +3 more | 2016 | β | 4.5% | 1.30x | 1.29x |
| Roark Capital Partners III, L.P.LPs: Washington State Investment Board, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation | 2012 | β | 11.8% | 2.00x | 2.00x |
Source: public limited-partner disclosures (CalPERS, CalSTRS). Net IRR / TVPI / DPI as reported by the limited partner; a fund's early-year IRR is an interim estimate (J-curve).
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Roark made?
- Roark has 83 tracked investments.
- What sectors does Roark focus on?
- Roark focuses on Consumer, EdTech, FoodTech, Wellness & Fitness.
- Where is Roark located?
- Roark is headquartered in Atlanta, US.
- Who does Roark co-invest with?
- Roark most often shares deals with Halifax Group, Levine Leichtman, KSL, among 10 tracked co-investors.
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