Founders and former Kahala Corp. executives Kevin and Kathryn Blackwell are bringing their proven restaurant expansion experience to Arizona as their new venture, Pacific Restaurant Partners, acquired the Ncounter concept with plans to add new locations. CKS Securities served as the exclusive financial advisor to Ncounter.
Since 2012, Ncounter has been an instant favorite among the Downtown Tempe community, drawing long lines of hungry students, business professionals, friends and families. The restaurant has earned multiple “best-of” accolades for its made-from-scratch breakfast, coffee, lunch and brunch offerings.
“It brings a smile to our faces,” said Ncounter co-founder Kathy Coker. “We’ve raised this restaurant like a family member. Now, we’ll watch it grow up and make us proud.”
With the change in ownership, guests of the Tempe location can expect business as usual with an unchanged menu and pricing. The existing Ncounter staff and management will also stay aboard as the concept plans for more locations.
The business community will recognize the Blackwells for their restaurant industry-leading success record, having founded Kahala Corp., an international franchisor of quick-service restaurant brands, in 1988. At the time they sold their interest in Kahala in 2014, the company had more than 10 brands, among them Cold Stone Creamery, Blimpie Subs, TacoTime, Samurai Sam’s and others, with more than 3,000 locations operating in 23 countries.
Their newest venture, Pacific Restaurant Partners, is a Joint Venture with Tokyo, Japan-based Hotland, an 8-brand restaurant operator with over 669 locations in Asia at the end of 2015. They and the Blackwell’s think Ncounter has potential for Asian development in the future.
“The future is incredibly bright for Ncounter,” said CEO Kevin Blackwell. “It’s our great honor to move the Cokers’ legacy forward with more locations, and grow it into a national brand.”
Detailed plans for the expansion and franchise opportunities will be released in the summer months.
