Private Equity Firm

Golden Gate Capital

AUM$19 billion

Founded2000

HQSan Francisco, CA

San Francisco-based private equity firm focused on restaurant and consumer investments.

Track Record

Performance

Total Acquisitions22

Bankruptcy Rate32%

Avg Hold Period8.0yrs

High-Risk Track Record

32% of companies owned by this firm have filed for bankruptcy. This is significantly above the industry average.

Known Tactics

Playbook

Cost Cutting

COMMON

Aggressive reduction in labor costs, supplier payments, and operational expenses.

Debt Loading

COMMON

Adding significant debt to acquired company balance sheets, often to fund dividends to PE owners.

Asset Stripping

COMMON

Selling off valuable assets like real estate while leasing them back at high rates.

Portfolio Companies

Current and former holdings

Notable Outcomes

Case Studies

Failures

California Pizza Kitchen

N/A

California Pizza Kitchen experienced difficulties under PE ownership.

hhgregg

N/A

hhgregg experienced difficulties under PE ownership.

Bon-Ton Stores

N/A

Bon-Ton Stores experienced difficulties under PE ownership.

Christopher & Banks

N/A

Christopher & Banks experienced difficulties under PE ownership.

Payless ShoeSource

N/A

Payless ShoeSource experienced difficulties under PE ownership.

Successes

Questcare Partners

N/A

Questcare Partners achieved a successful outcome under PE ownership.

Zales

N/A

Zales achieved a successful outcome under PE ownership.

Greek Gods Yogurt

N/A

Greek Gods Yogurt achieved a successful outcome under PE ownership.

Red Gold Tomatoes

N/A

Red Gold Tomatoes achieved a successful outcome under PE ownership.

InfuSystem

N/A

InfuSystem achieved a successful outcome under PE ownership.