Rosser Capital Partners Announces Investment in Barteca Holdings, LLC

GREENWICH, Conn., March 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosser Capital Partners, a private investment firm focused on investing in restaurant, consumer and retail companies, today announced an investment in Barteca Holdings, LLC ("Barteca" or the "Company") in partnership with the Company's founders, to further support the growth of its exciting restaurant brands. Barteca is the operator of the restaurant concepts, Barcelona Wine Bar and bartaco.

Barcelona Wine Bar is an award-winning Spanish tapas restaurant, founded in 1995 by Sasa Mahr-Batuz and Andy Pforzheimer, featuring a unique menu of chef-inspired dishes and a comprehensive wine list. The Company currently operates seven Barcelona Wine Bar restaurants, primarily in Connecticut, as well as in Atlanta, GA. New restaurants are scheduled to open shortly in Boston, MA and Washington, D.C. Barcelona has been one of Zagat's "America's Top Restaurants" for the last five years, and was recently profiled in Wine Enthusiast magazine as one of "America's Top 100 Wine Restaurants," and in Travel and Leisure as one of "America's 10 Best Wine Bars."

bartaco, started in 2010 in Port Chester, NY, is a traditional taqueria serving over 20 tequila and taco varieties in a beach-inspired decor setting. The Company recently opened its second bartaco location in Stamford, CT and has plans to open two additional locations this year. Mr. Mahr-Batuz will continue in his current position as creative director and Mr. Pforzheimer as CEO, and both will maintain significant ownership stakes in the company.

Harold O. Rosser and his team have invested in the restaurant sector for more than 20 years and have structured an investment in Barteca with Sasa Mahr-Batuz and Andy Pforzheimer to further support continued development of the brands with their ongoing involvement.

"Sasa and Andy have created two exciting restaurant concepts that we believe are highly scalable and we are very pleased to partner with these talented and creative entrepreneurs," said Mr. Rosser, Managing Partner of Rosser Capital Partners. "We are pursuing investment opportunities that play to our strengths and Barteca clearly fits that criteria."

Mr. Mahr-Batuz said, "Andy and I have built a business over the past 16 years based on what we love to eat, and how we like to be treated. With the know-how and experience of the Rosser Capital Partners team we believe we can extend these concepts to more guests while maintaining that high quality that sits at the core of a great guest experience."

During his career, Mr. Rosser and his team have been actively involved in the acquisition and management of Restaurant Associates, California Pizza Kitchen, Au Bon Pain, Il Fornaio / Corner Bakery, McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants, Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Logan's Roadhouse and Ruth's Hospitality Group.

About Rosser Capital Partners

Rosser Capital Partners is a middle market investment firm with a focus on investing in restaurant, consumer and retail companies that demonstrate significant growth potential and can benefit from strategic and operational enhancements. The firm seeks to partner with strong management teams who have demonstrated the skills, commitment and discipline to create shareholder value over time. Rosser Capital Partners supports its management teams by providing access to a wide network of strategic industry contacts, active lending institutions, consultants, and additional management and operational resources. Over the last 20-plus years, the principals of Rosser Capital Partners have completed 23 transactions including 17 in the restaurant industry. Rosser Capital Partners is headquartered in Greenwich, CT and can be reached via email at [email protected].

Contact: Chris Tofalli
Chris Tofalli Public Relations, LLC
914-834-4334

SOURCE Rosser Capital Partners