Arbor Private Investment Company, located in Chicago, has acquired Rice Garden, a privately held Asian quick-serve restaurant chain headquartered in Alhambra, Calif. Transaction terms were not disclosed.

RSM EquiCo Capital Markets initiated the transaction, led the negotiations and acted as exclusive financial advisor to Rice Garden.

Rice Garden was founded in 1994 and operates Asian-themed quick service restaurants. The company has over 70 locations and 500 employees in California, Kansas, Missouri, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Illinois. Many locations are inside supermarkets such as Albertsons, Brookshire and Kroger. The company maintains a loyal customer base through strong store-level food management that ensures fresh, hot meals with minimal wait time for customers. Management will continue to support new store expansion as Rice Garden penetrates new geographic markets.

Arbor Private Investment Company concentrates exclusively on the food and beverage industries with a specialized knowledge and a broad network of relationships concentrated in these industries. The firm has a successful track record of investing in leading suppliers and distributors to some of the world's most recognized consumer brands. Arbor's principals have over 100 years of experience financing, owning and operating food and beverage companies and have successfully executed $500 million in transactions within the sector. The firm has built a reputation as a valued equity partner to some of the world's most recognized food and beverage companies, including Coca-Cola, Nestle, McDonald's, and Sysco Foodservice.

For more information regarding this transaction, please contact:

Jack Gonder
Vice President
312.462.6612
jgonder@rsmequico.com