Biscuit Belly is about to become a much larger restaurant company.
The breakfast and brunch brand recently completed its acquisition of Maple Street Biscuit Company, gaining 35 additional restaurants. Biscuit Belly currently has 15 locations, so the purchase increases its total footprint to approximately 50 restaurants.
That puts the company within reach of its plan to operate more than 60 locations by the end of 2028. The financial terms of the deal were kept private.
A Creative Answer to a Difficult Real Estate Market
Biscuit Belly had been searching for good restaurant properties, but finding the right opportunities was proving difficult.
Strong locations are limited, and growing restaurant brands frequently compete for the same spaces. Even after a site is secured, construction, approvals and equipment installation can delay an opening.
Instead of depending entirely on new development, founders Chad and Lauren Coulter considered how an acquisition could move the company forward more quickly.
Maple Street offered something that would have been difficult to assemble one property at a time: 35 existing restaurants concentrated largely across the Southeast.
For Biscuit Belly, the deal was not simply about buying another brand. It was an opportunity to secure a substantial restaurant portfolio and create a direct path to its next stage of growth.
Why Maple Street Made Sense
The two concepts have similar space requirements, which made Maple Street’s locations particularly appealing.
Most Biscuit Belly restaurants are between 2,800 and 3,000 square feet. Many Maple Street locations are close to the same size, while some occupy larger spaces of approximately 3,000 to 4,000 square feet.
The similarity should make the properties easier to adapt. Biscuit Belly can focus on converting the restaurants to its brand and operating model without completely rebuilding every location.
Maple Street had been owned by Cracker Barrel since 2019. Cracker Barrel originally purchased the business for $36 million in cash.
After following Cracker Barrel’s business updates, the Coulters believed the company might be ready to focus more heavily on its main restaurant brand. They approached the situation as a possible acquisition opportunity, and the deal was eventually completed.
Changes Will Happen Gradually
The Maple Street restaurants will not be converted overnight.
Biscuit Belly expects to start the process in January and complete the transition over approximately 18 to 24 months. All of the acquired locations are currently planned to be operated as corporate restaurants.
Before introducing the Biscuit Belly name, the company is spending time inside the restaurants and identifying areas that need attention.
Some improvements are practical and immediate. A restaurant might need a replacement dishwasher, new paint or updated ceiling tiles. Although these changes are smaller than a full conversion, they can improve working conditions and show employees that the new owner is investing in the location.
Preparing to Support 50 Restaurants
Moving from 15 restaurants to approximately 50 changes how a company must operate.
Biscuit Belly has been hiring people for important roles in accounting, human resources and support services. It is also adding construction professionals and project leaders who can manage the conversion of the Maple Street properties.
In a smaller company, founders often handle responsibilities across many departments. As Biscuit Belly grows, Chad and Lauren Coulter are handing some of those duties to specialists with deeper experience.
A stronger management structure will be essential during the next two years. Each restaurant will need coordination, training and operational support while the wider company continues serving customers and pursuing additional growth.
Integrating Technology Across the New Locations
One of the more complicated tasks will be moving the Maple Street restaurants onto Biscuit Belly’s systems.
Cracker Barrel is a much larger company with a broader technology network. Biscuit Belly’s technology structure is smaller and was built for a more compact restaurant system.
That difference creates work behind the scenes. The company must ensure that restaurant systems, employee information, payroll and other operational functions continue working as locations move from one organization to another.
Biscuit Belly’s leadership recognizes that its technology platform is not as extensive as Cracker Barrel’s. However, the company believes it has what it needs to operate successfully and can strengthen its infrastructure as the integration progresses.
Listening to Employees Before Making Major Changes
The Coulters are personally visiting Maple Street restaurants during the early stages of the transition.
Their goal is to speak with managers and employees, learn about each restaurant and answer questions about what comes next. These conversations can reveal concerns that would never appear in a report or spreadsheet.
For employees, a change in ownership can create uncertainty about jobs, pay, leadership and restaurant operations. Biscuit Belly is trying to reduce that uncertainty by communicating directly and focusing first on the well-being of restaurant teams.
Keeping employees informed and supported could also help the company hold onto experienced people who understand the stores and their local customers.
More Than a Store Count
On paper, the acquisition gives Biscuit Belly 35 more restaurants. In practice, it also brings new employees, established customer relationships and dozens of locations with different needs.
The company now faces the challenge of turning those individual restaurants into one connected system without losing the people who keep them operating.
If the transition goes well, Biscuit Belly will emerge as a much larger brand with a meaningful presence across the Southeast and a strong platform for continued expansion.
The next 18 to 24 months will be an important period. For the Coulters, success will not be measured only by the number of converted restaurants. It will also depend on whether employees feel supported, locations become stronger and the expanded company is prepared for its next stage of growth.
Learn more about Biscuit Belly franchise opportunities.
