Yogen Früz Owners Buy Kahala Corp.

Kahala Corp., the privately owned franchisor of more than a dozen quick-service brands, including Blimpie, Cold Stone Creamery, Johnnie’s New York Pizzeria, Samurai Sam’s Teriyaki Grill, Taco Time, and The Great Steak & Potato Company, has been acquired by Canadian entrepreneurs.

Terms of the sale of Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Kahala to the Ontario-based Serruya family were not revealed. The deal was finalized Aug. 26. Kahala currently has 3,035 locations in 23 countries.

Three Serruya brothers own Yogen Früz, spinoff chain Yogurty’s and Swenson’s premium ice cream. Michael Serruya will be chairman and CEO of Kahala, which has systemwide revenues of about $1 billion. The Serruya family plans to build Kahala’s franchising business in both international and North American markets.