Playa Bowls is a quick-service chain restaurant that serves acai bowls and smoothies. In August 2021, the private equity fund Tamarix Equity Partners, under Founding Partner Mark Hauser, and investment firm Pacific General Holdings announced a strategic deal that would help grow the chain. Learn more about the investment and how it's expected to attract more franchisees in the future.
Expanding the Empire
Playa Bowls was founded in Belmar, NJ by Robert Giuliani and Abby Taylor. It's seen remarkable success on its own over the years, but the company is ready to expand. With the help of Tamarix Equity Partners, led by founder Mark Hauser, as well as Pacific General Holdings, the future looks bright for the company as they prepare to branch into the middle markets.
CEO Giuliani remarked in an official statement "We are delighted to be partnering with Tamarix and Pacific General to fuel our growth." He praises not just the operating skills of the two firms, but also the financial acumen of both partners. This is what company leaders will look to as they tackle an ambitious growth plan. While the terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed, the reputations of all three companies suggest a strong foundation is being laid with this deal.
The Guidance and Support of Mark Hauser's Tamarix Equity Partners
Smaller companies in the US have a number of advantages, including local support and more manageable operations. However, they also face a number of serious obstacles, including fierce competition from larger conglomerates and a lack of financing to fund their endeavors.
Tamarix Equity Partners was founded with smaller companies in mind, so everyone could get the financial and strategic assistance needed to break into a different tier of business. Playa Bowls has shown a tremendous amount of promise and popularity since its inception and has managed to keep up with an ever-evolving economy by staying true to its original mission.
This is a critical time for the company though, one that's going to take a lot of planning to get right. When companies attempt to expand, the logistics can turn out to be far more complicated than anyone could have anticipated. This can be for any number of reasons, not all of which become apparent until the last minute. An equity firm like Tamarix has to be careful about who they choose to invest in and what ventures will yield the most profits.
Now that Tamarix has committed to Playa Bowls, its leaders are ready to provide strategic advice that will protect both companies from potential loss. They'll look at how different regions are likely to respond to a location in their area and which marketing campaigns will promote the best ROI.
This operation has leaned on the expertise of its dedicated franchise owners to encourage mutual success. If it's going to attract new partners, it needs to assure them that they've done their homework on where the brand fits into the larger landscape.
Mark Hauser has more than 30 years of experience in the financial world, and one of his specialties is providing flexible financing solutions to middle-market companies. He understands just how important it is for people to have critical information in their hands before making bold economic moves.
The management team at Playa Bowls has chosen an excellent partner to have on their side as they take on new markets. Already in 18 states, there's no telling how far this company can go now that it has the capital it needs to move forward.
The History of Playa Bowls
Some businesses are born out of direct needs, while others are started from peripheral problems. When Abby Taylor and Robert Giuliani got the idea for the company, it had everything to do with their chosen sport of surfing. However, instead of conceptualizing better boards or more effective wax, they concentrated more on what would keep them energized during their many escapades.
Navigating the waves all day takes a serious amount of physical endurance, and surfers are always in search of a meal or snack that will keep them satisfied hour after hour. From their joints to their muscles, every part of the body has to be engaged to really get the most from every session. This is exactly what Playa Bowls strives to provide -- hearty nutrition that can support surfers and all that they do.
When the two avid surfers discovered acai or pitaya bowls, the seeds of Playa Bowls were planted. These berries from Central and South America are chocked with antioxidants, otherwise known as a way to fight the effects of everything from pollution to aging. When combined with other whole ingredients, including nuts, seeds, and granola, the right bowl can power even the most competitive athletes.
Taylor and Giuliani were used to their travels taking them to different waters and were thrilled to find such a delicious source of nutrition. They didn't want to keep the secret to themselves though. After creating their own version for the Jersey Shore, it quickly caught fire within their community in Belmar.
However, the concept proved to be attractive to people outside the surfing world too. Slowly but surely, the company went from one location to 126 stores nationwide. Playa Bowls is largely a franchise operation, allowing local entrepreneurs to try their hand at selling not just healthy food but a different kind of lifestyle.
How the Restaurant Built Its Customer Base
The US doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to eating healthy food, and these habits have had proven negative effects on people's bodies and minds. Playa Bowls was started as a way to promote a very different type of lifestyle, one that doesn't allow for the kind of processed foods that people have become used to seeing in popular quick-service restaurants.
By refusing to cut corners, the company has earned a reputation for being a reliable quick-serve restaurant that caters to the movers and shakers of the world. Their customers have to power through everything from grueling professional meetings to domestic chores to athletic pursuits. They've come to rely on the nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that can be found in the menu items of the chain.
Experienced investor Mark Hauser has developed a sixth sense for companies like Playa Bowls. This is a company that's attempting to spark real change in the world, one that could have ripple effects all around the globe. He sees the brand for what it is today and what it could be tomorrow.
While Playa Bowls is far from the only restaurant promoting a healthy lifestyle, it has managed to strike a delicate balance between flavor and nutrition. It's also promoting feel-good vibes to its customers, an intangible benefit that is undeniably valuable to its clientele.
Finally, the company is aligned with some of the most important causes of the day, including environmental responsibility. In fact, the health of our communities and the health of our planet are inextricably linked. It's the conscientious attitudes of people that have turned the juice and smoothie business into a billion-dollar industry. As Playa Bowls considers the future, the company will continue to make health a priority.
An Investment in the Future
This deal represents a huge milestone for Playa Bowls, one that could kickstart their presence toward household-name status. With Tamarix Equity Partners involved, a firm that specializes in giving small businesses all the tools they need to take on new territories, the company stands an excellent chance at rising above the rest.
About Tamarix Equity Partners
Tamarix Equity Partners is a subsidiary of Tamarix Capital Corp., an investment firm established in 1993. Since its founding, it's become a trusted name for families and managers of small businesses who want to grow into the middle markets. By supplying both the capital and strategic expertise needed, Tamarix has an excellent track record for investing in the underserved lower-middle markets.
About Mark Hauser
Mark Hauser is the founder of Tamarix Capital Corp. and an active philanthropist for both local and national charities. A professional with more than three decades' experience in private credit, venture capital, and investment banking, Mark Hauser held a number of positions over the course of his career.
Hauser served as the Sr. Managing Director at OFS Capital Management, LLC from 2013 - 2019 and as a member of the Investment Committee. He founded the SBIC fund for the firm and assumed responsibility for middle-market lending. He held the same senior position at Sandell Asset Management, an international alternative asset manager. At Sandell, he would found the private equity practice of the firm. Hauser also worked at FdG Associates, a NY-based private equity fund that focused largely on family-owned businesses.
This professional started his career as a corporate attorney after earning a Master of Laws from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Law from Sydney University.
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