McDonald’s Selling Off Boston Market Chain

Denver Rocky Mountain News:

McDonald’s Corp. is selling Golden-based Boston Market, a year after spinning off Denver- based Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.

The agreement to sell the 630- restaurant chain, which specializes in roasted chicken and potatoes, to private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners was expected. McDonald’s acknowledged in January that it was studying its strategic options.

And though Boston Market is deemed only marginally profitable, it may bode well that Sun Capital Partners is an experienced buyer with other restaurant chains in its portfolio, including Bruegger’s, Fazoli’s, Souper!Salad! and Sweet Tomatoes.

‘It makes no sense for McDonald’s to keep it,’ said analyst John Glass, of CIBC World Markets in Boston. He noted that McDonald’s bought Boston Market in 2000 thinking it would learn something about the dinner business, but it now is focusing on trying to bolster its fast-food enterprise. More.