GoTo Foods LLC
Atlanta-based franchise platform owned by Roark Capital, parent of Jamba, Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's, Carvel, Moe's, McAlister's, and Schlotzsky's across 7,300-plus locations. Formerly Focus Brands.
Company Type
private
Founded
2001
Headquarters
Sandy Springs, Georgia, United States
Employees
Approximately 7,300 franchised and operated locations systemwide
Primary Market
Global
GoTo Foods LLC Timeline
About GoTo Foods LLC
Who owns GoTo Foods?
GoTo Foods is owned by Roark Capital, an Atlanta-based private equity firm focused on franchise businesses. It is not publicly traded.
What happened to Focus Brands?
Focus Brands renamed itself GoTo Foods in 2024 under CEO Jim Holthouser. The corporate entity, brands, and ownership remained the same; only the name changed.
What brands does GoTo Foods own?
Auntie Anne's, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, Moe's Southwest Grill, McAlister's Deli, and Schlotzsky's, plus Seattle's Best Coffee in certain channels.
Is GoTo Foods publicly traded?
No. It is privately held by Roark Capital funds and does not trade on any exchange.
How many locations does GoTo Foods operate?
More than 7,300 franchised and operated locations across all 50 US states and 71 countries and territories as of December 2025.
Who is the CEO of GoTo Foods?
Omar Gajial, formerly of Albertsons, Amazon, and PepsiCo, became CEO in December 2025, succeeding Jim Holthouser.
History of GoTo Foods LLC
The platform began in 2001 when Atlanta private equity firm Roark Capital acquired the Carvel ice cream chain. Roark added Cinnabon and the international operations of Seattle's Best Coffee from AFC Enterprises in November 2004, organizing the portfolio as Focus Brands.
Acquisitions built the portfolio steadily: Schlotzsky's in 2006, Moe's Southwest Grill in 2007, Auntie Anne's in 2010, McAlister's Deli in 2013, and Jamba in September 2018 for about $200 million. Each deal added a category-defining snack or fast-casual brand with franchise economics.
Jim Holthouser, a former Hilton executive, became CEO in February 2020 and led the company through the pandemic and a strategic shift toward an integrated platform rather than a loose brand collection. In February 2024 he announced the renaming to GoTo Foods, a brand loyalty-inspired identity replacing the Focus Brands name used for two decades.
Holthouser retired at the end of 2025. Omar Gajial, formerly chief merchandising and digital officer at Albertsons with earlier roles at Amazon and PepsiCo, became CEO in December 2025, continuing the outside-industry leadership pattern.
GoTo Foods LLC Sustainability & Ethics
GoTo Foods runs brand-level community programs, including Cinnabon's partnership fundraising and hunger relief initiatives, and pursues packaging and sourcing improvements across its supply chain.
The company holds no B Corp certification and does not publish a consolidated sustainability report; its disclosures are primarily through individual brand programs rather than audited group reporting.
Brands Owned by GoTo Foods LLC
GoTo Foods LLC owns 1 brand in our database. Explore the ownership tree below — click categories to expand and see individual brands.
GoTo Foods LLC
private · Founded 2001 · Sandy Springs, Georgia, United States
1
brands
GoTo Foods LLC Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Roark Capital provides deep franchising expertise and patient capital
- +Asset-light royalty model generates cash without restaurant capital spending
- +Category-leading positions in snacks and treats
- +Retail licensing creates a second growth channel independent of store openings
- +Scale of 7,300-plus locations gives shared-services cost advantages
Considerations
- -Several brands are mall- and travel-dependent formats with structurally challenged traffic
- -Private equity ownership implies an eventual exit or sale event
- -No public financial disclosure limits outside scrutiny
- -Brand performance varies widely across the portfolio
- -Dependence on franchisee health and development appetite for growth
Frequently Asked Questions About GoTo Foods LLC
Who owns GoTo Foods?
GoTo Foods is owned by Roark Capital, an Atlanta-based private equity firm focused on franchise businesses. It is not publicly traded.
What happened to Focus Brands?
Focus Brands renamed itself GoTo Foods in 2024 under CEO Jim Holthouser. The corporate entity, brands, and ownership remained the same; only the name changed.
What brands does GoTo Foods own?
Auntie Anne's, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, Moe's Southwest Grill, McAlister's Deli, and Schlotzsky's, plus Seattle's Best Coffee in certain channels.
Is GoTo Foods publicly traded?
No. It is privately held by Roark Capital funds and does not trade on any exchange.
How many locations does GoTo Foods operate?
More than 7,300 franchised and operated locations across all 50 US states and 71 countries and territories as of December 2025.
Who is the CEO of GoTo Foods?
Omar Gajial, formerly of Albertsons, Amazon, and PepsiCo, became CEO in December 2025, succeeding Jim Holthouser.
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