Sun Holdings Boosts Portfolio with Bar Louie Acquisition
Sun Holdings, a prominent restaurant and hotel operator, has added Bar Louie to its portfolio. This acquisition comes after Bar Louie filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025, citing rising costs and macroeconomic pressure. Bar Louie, founded in 1991, is known for its gastropub offerings and joins Sun Holdings' diverse range of concepts.
Bar Louie, with 39 units, joins Sun Holdings' portfolio which includes popular chains like Burger King, Papa Johns, Popeyes, Arby's, Applebee's, IHOP, and Golden Corral. Sun Holdings' CEO and President Guillermo Perales sees this acquisition as an exciting step forward in their growth strategy. The addition of Bar Louie strengthens Sun Holdings' presence in casual dining and diversifies its offerings.
At the time of its bankruptcy filing, Bar Louie had liabilities ranging from $50 million to $100 million and assets valued between $1 million and $10 million. Despite these challenges, Sun Holdings has been active in the M&A market, acquiring Freebirds and Uncle Julio's chains in 2024. With this acquisition, Sun Holdings now operates more than 1,800 restaurant locations nationwide.
Bar Louie becomes the fourth concept owned outright by Sun Holdings, joining Taco Bueno, Freebirds World Burrito, and Uncle Julio's. Sun Holdings aims to leverage Bar Louie's reputation for beer, cocktails, and pub food to further expand its reach in the casual dining sector. The acquisition, though made under challenging circumstances, aligns with Sun Holdings' strategic growth plans.
