News

Willie’s Grill & Icehouse chilling with new investor

CIC Partners is now the majority investor in Willie’s Grill & Icehouse, a 17-unit fast casual concept based in Houston.

September 15, 2015

CIC Partners is now the majority investor in Willie’s Grill & Icehouse, a 17-unit fast casual concept based in Houston.

"I am very pleased to have found a partner in CIC that shares our core values and is dedicated to continuing to provide great food and service to our customers," said Jay Barnes, co-founder of Willie’s. "We had been looking to partner with someone to help us take Willie’s to the next level, and I can honestly say, we couldn’t have picked a better partner."

As part of the transaction, restaurant industry veterans Norman Abdallah and Carey Carrington will join the company’s board along with CIC representatives.  As chairman of the board, Abdallah brings a wealth of experience from leading over 25 brands as a CEO, franchisee and owner. He’s the CEO of CIC portfolio company, Taco Mac. Carrington has held multiple CFO roles across several concepts, including California Pizza Kitchen, Romano’s Macaroni Grill and Raising Cane’s.

"We have been following the Willie’s brand for years and are excited about the opportunity to invest in the company," said Bayard Friedman, VP of CIC Partners. "(Founders) Jay Barnes, John Barnes, and Jeff McCoy worked to build a really special brand, and we are thrilled to come alongside them and support its continued growth."