Franchisee seizes ownership of Friendly's from Brix Holdings
In a significant move, Legacy Brands International, a leading franchise operator, has acquired Brix Holdings, the owner of popular restaurant brands such as Friendly's, Clean Juice, Red Mango, and Orange Leaf. Amol Kohli, previously a waiter at Friendly's and a franchise operator since 2009, will take over as the chairman of Brix, with the existing leadership team, including CEO Sherif Mityas, remaining in place.
The terms of the deal between the two parties have not been disclosed. However, it is known that JAMCO Interests, the majority owner of Brix, will remain involved as an investor in Legacy Brands.
Brix Holdings, based in Dallas, Texas, operates over 250 locations across various restaurant brands. Legacy Brands International, with more than 30 Friendly's locations on the East Coast, is set to expand the size, scale, and infrastructure of Brix's restaurant networks.
The acquisition comes at a time when Brix Holdings' brands have shown signs of recovery. Despite facing challenges last year, with systemwide sales declines and closures, the company has reported continued momentum in 2025. Friendly's same-store sales have slightly increased by 1%, Orange Leaf showed a significant improvement with a 14% increase in same-store sales, and Red Mango’s same-store sales increased by 6.2%.
Despite the closure of nearly 50 Clean Juice stores prior to the acquisition, the company is focusing on regional growth and modernizing its brand, implying ongoing investment and potential recovery.
Looking ahead, Brix plans to expand Friendly's, an East Coast diner chain, into Southern markets, including Georgia, the Carolinas, and Texas. The company is optimistic about the growth prospects of its brands and is committed to continuing to grow its restaurant network.
Sources: [1] Brix Holdings Press Release, 2025 [2] Legacy Brands International Press Release, 2025 [3] Restaurant Business Online, 2025 [4] Nation's Restaurant News, 2025
The acquisition of Brix Holdings by Legacy Brands International signals an expansion of the franchising industry, as the latter is set to grow the size and scale of Brix's restaurant networks. This financing deal between the two parties could potentially attract more investors, given JAMCO Interests' continued involvement as an investor in Legacy Brands.
