Full-Time
Associate - Investment
Investment Team
Posted on 9/12/2025
Roark Capital
Private equity firm funding franchise networks
No salary listed
Atlanta, GA, USA
In Person
Interest in working in Atlanta longer term.
 Finance & Banking (1) |
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- 2-4 years of experience in investment banking and/or private equity
- Top-tier college degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or Accounting is preferred
- Strong business acumen, intellectual curiosity, and attention to detail
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Solid foundational technical skills – finance, accounting, modeling, and data analytics
- Genuine enthusiasm and curiosity for investing
- Desire and ability to work in a collaborative team environment while also being able to work independently, multi-task, and meet demanding deadlines
- Interest in working in Atlanta longer term
- Support the senior Roark investment team in all aspects of the investment process, including due diligence, modeling, financing, and data analysis
- Take a lead role in the analysis and modeling of prospective investment opportunities and current portfolio investments
- Develop and/or oversee critical business diligence work streams, including data analytics, consumer research, market studies, industry benchmarking, and management interviews
- Meaningfully contribute to confirmatory diligence work streams and debt financing / equity co-invest processes
- Monitor the performance of existing portfolio companies, interact with portfolio management teams, and evaluate potential add-on acquisitions
- Help prepare detailed industry research and identify new verticals that are consistent with Roark’s investment criteria
- Assist in financial reporting and investor communication
- Mentor investment team analysts and interns
- Experience on transactions in the consumer services or business services sectors is a plus
Roark Capital is an Atlanta-based private equity firm that invests in consumer and business services, with a concentration on franchise and franchise-like models. It grows its investments by acquiring franchise networks and multi-location brands, then providing capital and management collaboration to help those brands expand across locations. It differentiates itself through scale and a stakeholder-aligned approach, boasting 105 franchise or multi-location brands with about 107,500 locations and roughly $94 billion in system revenues across 50 states and 118 countries. Its goal is to build durable, growth-oriented franchise brands by partnering with management and owners to create value for customers, employees, franchisees, partners, and investors.
Company Size
N/A
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Atlanta, Georgia
Founded
1996
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Nothing Bundt Cakes sold to KKR for $2B, achieving 21.6% EBITDA margins.
- GPRS acquisition diversifies into B2B subsurface prevention services.
- Portfolio generates $94B revenues, enabling supply chain synergies.
What critics are saying
- KKR outbids Roark on franchise deals using superior capital firepower.
- FTC blocks overlapping QSR acquisitions post-Subway approval.
- Subway franchise closures slash system revenues and deal IRR.
What makes Roark Capital unique
- Roark specializes in franchise models, owning 105 brands across 107,500 locations.
- Nothing Bundt Cakes scaled to 700 locations under Roark since 2021 acquisition.
- Subway $9.6B buyout completed April 2024 despite FTC antitrust review.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Paid Holidays
Meal Benefits
Company News
Nick Saban presents Communities In Schools of Atlanta's top honor to Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Adam Chamberlain at annual choose Success Awards Dinner. Mar 27, 2026, 09:34 ET Chamberlain Receives Anne Cox Chambers Champion for Kids Award; Roark Honored with Corporate Partner Award at Sold-Out Celebration Benefiting Metro Atlanta Students ATLANTA, March 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Former head college football coach Nick Saban took the stage Thursday night to present Adam Chamberlain, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, with the Anne Cox Chambers Champion for Kids Award - the highest honor given by Communities In Schools of Atlanta (CIS of Atlanta) - at the organization's sold-out "Choose Success" Awards Dinner. Roark also received the Corporate Partner Award at the event, which drew nearly 300 of metro Atlanta's most influential leaders in business, philanthropy and civic life to support the region's largest dropout prevention organization. "When we are present for our students, they are far more likely to stay in school and graduate," said Frank Brown, chief executive officer of Communities In Schools of Atlanta. "We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary support of Adam Chamberlain, Roark and every partner who believes that every student, regardless of their ZIP code, deserves a quality education and a bright future." Chamberlain received the award in recognition of his leadership, advocacy and longstanding commitment to CIS of Atlanta's mission. Under his tenure, Mercedes-Benz USA has championed educational equity and youth empowerment across metro Atlanta. "Through Driving Your Future, Mercedes-Benz USA is dedicated to preparing students for long-term success and ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom," Chamberlain said. Roark received the Corporate Partner Award for its sustained investment in expanding access to critical resources for students across metro Atlanta. "Supporting young people aligns directly with Roark's mission of Helping People and Companies Reach Their Potential," said Allison Hill, chief social impact officer at Roark. "Lasting impact is created through sustained commitment and meaningful investment." This school year, CIS of Atlanta is serving more than 41,000 students across six metro Atlanta school districts. During the 2024-25 school year, 99% of caseload students remained in school and 97% graduated or were promoted to the next grade - outcomes powered by the organization's model of embedding dedicated support staff within school walls to address students' academic, social and emotional needs. 2026 CHOOSE SUCCESS HONOREES ANNE COX CHAMBERS CHAMPION FOR KIDS AWARD * Adam Chamberlain, CEO, Mercedes-Benz USA CORPORATE PARTNER AWARD CIS OF ATLANTA STUDENTS OF THE YEAR * High School: Mya Harris, Tri-Cities High School * Middle School: Demir Williams, Bunche Middle School * Elementary School: Dequan Woodard, West Clayton Elementary School ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR * Khari Crooms About Communities In Schools of Atlanta Communities In Schools of Atlanta is an award-winning dropout prevention organization established in Atlanta in 1972 and part of the nation's largest dropout prevention network. The organization's mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. CIS of Atlanta currently serves more than 41,000 students across 62 schools in six metro Atlanta school districts. For more information, visit www.cisatlanta.org. SOURCE Communities In Schools of Atlanta
KKR acquires Nothing Bundt Cakes from Roark Capital for $2 billion. Stock score locked: want to see it? Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock - anytime. KKR & Co Inc (NYSE:KKR) is acquiring Nothing Bundt Cakes from private equity firm Roark Capital for more than $2 billion. The company added 390 locations since Roark acquired the chain in 2021. The private equity firm has been looking for a buyer for the U.S. bakery chain since last year, Restaurant Business reported. Nothing Bundt Cakes was founded in 1997 by Dena Trip and Debbie Shwetz. The bakery makes customizable bundt cakes for all occasions and has more than 600 locations across the U.S. KKR previously made a strategic investment into India-based cloud kitchen platform Rebel Foods, the parent company of brands such as Faasos, Oven Story Pizza and The Good Bowl. KKR has also historically invested in major food industry entities such as Del Monte Foods and various supermarket chains like Safeway and Stop & Shop. Roark Capital has made acquisitions with other franchise businesses including Arbys, Culvers, Jimmy John's, Auntie Anne's and Subway. Last year, the firm acquired Nashville-style spicy chicken chain Dave's Hot Chicken for $1 billion. The Atlanta-based private equity firm has $41 billion in assets under management. Roark focuses on investments in consumer and business services companies, with a specialization in franchise and franchise-like business models, its website states. Private equity firms have been buying up franchises in recent years due to the value proposition that franchising offers. PE in franchising offers investors "fast, scalable growth with predictable revenue streams." "That predictability, often delivered through royalty-based cash flows and ongoing fees, is a natural fit for PE's typical 5-year investment horizon and margin expectations," a financial news platform, StancheCow, reported. Investor Alert: 5 New Stock Opportunities Every Week Every Friday, the Whisper Index reveals 5 under-the-radar stocks showing early signs of upside. Paired with daily rankings and actionable setups, you'll know what to buy, what to avoid, and where momentum is building next. Posted In:
Roark reportedly sells Nothing Bundt Cakes to KKR for $2B. The brand's fast growth and four-wall EBITDA likely made the 700-unit chain an appealing acquisition target. Published March 26, 2026 Roark Capital is selling Nothing Bundt Cakes to KKR for $2 billion, according to reports by The Wall Street Journal and Reuters, both of which cited sources familiar with the matter. KKR declined to comment, and Roark did not respond immediately to a request for comment. The fast-growing dessert chain had 660 units at the end of 2024, after opening more than 100 in the year, according to its most recent franchise disclosure document. The brand opened its 700th location last May. In 2024, the chain had an average net revenue of over $1.4 million, among stores open longer than two years, per its FDD. Among the base of units open two years or more, Nothing Bundt Cakes reported an average four-wall EBITDA of $316,591, or about 21.6% in 2024. Royalties and marketing fees from the average mature store amounted to $161,455, or 11% of sales, per its FDD. The brand's unit economics are strengthened by the simplicity of its menu - varying sizes of bundt cakes in different flavors - and operations. The cost-of-goods sold for its mature stores in that year was about 23.5%, and labor about 27.5%. The combination of strong unit-level economics and rapid unit growth could explain why the chain is an attractive investment for private equity. KKR is invested in a number of restaurant-sector companies, including MyPizzaTechnologies, a platform meant to digitize small- and medium-sized pizza brands, according to its portfolio. The private equity firm also co-led a $135 million funding round for Restaurant365 in 2023, and has a significant investment in Rebel Foods, a ghost kitchen company based in India. Roark, which owns Inspire Brands, Subway and a majority stake in Dave's Hot Chicken, is a major player in the restaurant industry, while KKR is a relative outsider these days. The acquisition of a major franchisor could indicate greater interest by private equity in the U.S. restaurant sector. Denny's sold itself to a group of private equity buyers and one of its franchisees late last year, while private equity firms have been buying up franchisees - like 7Crew - and encouraging more development.
Private-equity firm Roark Capital is in advanced talks to acquire Dave's Hot Chicken for roughly $1 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.
GPRS provides subsurface damage prevention, existing conditions documentation and facility management services to utilities, contractors and engineers.