Tavistock Group Acquires E-Brands Restaurants: Timpano Chophouse, AquaKnox and Taqueria Canonita

ORLANDO, Fla., March 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tavistock Group announced today that it has acquired a multi-concept restaurant company that operates Timpano Chophouse and Martini Bar, AquaKnox and Taqueria Canonita. Headquartered in Orlando, E-Brands Restaurants sold its brands and seven restaurant locations to the Orlando-based private investment company after filing for bankruptcy last summer.

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"We continue to look for undervalued assets across the U.S. that can benefit from Tavistock Group's resources and reach," said Barry Goff, managing director of diversified acquisitions for Tavistock Group. "We believe we can drive significant value and results from these restaurants and locations."

Timpano, an Italian chophouse concept serving dry aged steaks, chops and veal in an elegant supper club atmosphere, has four locations in Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa, Fla. and Rockville, Md.

AquaKnox is an elegant, yet casual seafood restaurant that operates in The Venetian Casino, Hotel & Resort in Las Vegas. Taqueria Canonita and Canonita Express are also located within The Venetian. Both offer authentic Mexican fare served in a casual ambience.

"Timpano, AquaKnox and Taqueria Canonita are tremendous concepts with highly valued guests," said Bryan Lockwood, president of Tavistock Restaurants, the restaurant division of Tavistock Group that will manage the E-Brands concepts. "We look forward to building upon E-Brands' reputation for exceptional service without interruption."

ABOUT TAVISTOCK GROUP

Tavistock Group is an international private investment company founded by Joe Lewis. With investments in 175 companies across 15 countries, Tavistock Group's investment portfolio includes: life sciences, sports teams and sporting events, manufacturing and distribution, oil, gas and energy, financial services, restaurants, commercial properties, private luxury residential properties, resort properties and master-planned real estate developments.

Tavistock Restaurants operates a broad portfolio of restaurants across the U.S. with concepts ranging from fast casual to upscale dining, including Alcatraz Brewing Company, Blackhawk Grille, Cafe del Rey, California Cafe, Freebirds World Burrito, Napa Valley Grille, Sapporo and ZED451. Based in the San Francisco Bay area, Tavistock Restaurants continues to grow both organically and through acquisition.  

For more information, visit www.tavistock.com.

ABOUT E-BRANDS RESTAURANTS, LLC

E-Brands Restaurants, LLC, based in Orlando, Fla., is a multi-concept restaurant group with seven restaurants in three states. E-Brands Restaurants' concepts include Timpano Italian Chophouse, AquaKnox, Taqueria Canonita and Canonita Express. With headquarters in Orlando, Fla., E-Brands Restaurants has operations in Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa, Fla., Las Vegas and Rockville, Md. E-Brands Restaurants is recognized for concept development and execution, along with quality of operations and outstanding menu selection. For more information, visit E-Brands Restaurants at www.e-brands.net.

SOURCE Tavistock Group