LOS ANGELES, April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Brentwood Associates, the leading consumer-focused private equity firm in the West, announced today that Managing Director Rahul Aggarwal was named one of the 2012 "40 Under 40" Award Winners in the West Region. The third annual M&A Advisor Awards recognize and promote emerging business leaders in the international mergers and acquisitions and financing industries. This marks the second consecutive showing for Brentwood as Partner Anthony Choe won the award in 2011.

"Rahul is an exceptional director and our guru when it comes to understanding today's best concepts in restaurants, franchises and the fast casual movement," said Bill Barnum, partner and co-founder of Brentwood Associates. "He's added significant value to our portfolio and has led us to one of our largest investments to date, K-MAC Holdings."

Aggarwal joined Brentwood Associates in 1999. In addition to K-MAC Holdings, Aggarwal was instrumental in the firm's recent investment in Veggie Grill and previous investments including Pacific Island Restaurants, Spectrum Clubs and Zoes Kitchen. Prior to joining the firm, he worked at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette specializing in high-yield financings and leveraged buyouts. Aggarwal received dual bachelor's degrees in finance and international relations, magna cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business and College of Arts and Sciences.

Aggarwal will be honored with fellow winners and finalists at a black-tie gala at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on May 31, 2012. This year's awards recipients were chosen by an independent panel of prominent business leaders, including: Francis Acquila, Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell; John K. Castle, Chairman, Castle Harlan; Sharon Bailey, Principal, Beckett Advisors, Inc.; Laura M. Brank, Partner and Russia Practice Head, Dechert; Lee Duran, Partner, BDO USA, LLP; Darin Facer, Director, AlixPartners; Eric J. Ivester, Partner, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP; Melissa Kibler Knoll, Sr. Managing Director, Mesirow Financial Consulting; Joseph O'Donell, Vice President, Investigative Management Group; and Brian Schofield, Director, Lampert Debt Advisors.

About Brentwood Associates
Brentwood Associates is a consumer-focused private equity investment firm with over $650 million of capital under management and a 30-year history of investing in leading middle-market growth companies. Brentwood focuses on investments in growing businesses where it is able to leverage its extensive experience in areas such as: branded consumer products; consumer services; direct marketing, including direct mail and e-commerce; education; health and wellness; restaurants; and specialty retail. Since 1984, Brentwood's dedicated private equity team has invested in 38 portfolio companies with an aggregate transaction value of over $5 billion. With significant experience in both investing and brand building, Brentwood is a value-added partner with entrepreneurs and executives building world-class companies. For more information about Brentwood, please visit www.brentwood.com.

SOURCE Brentwood Associates