Minneapolis-Based Premier Gains Equity Partner

Hillcrest Capital Partners, a Minneapolis-based private investment group, is pleased to announce it has made an investment in Premier Restaurant Equipment.

Minneapolis-based Premier is a full-service foodservice design and equipment firm specializing in casinos, health care, specialty restaurants, hotels/lodging, multiunit operations, sports bars, entertainment facilities and cafeterias. It was founded in 1989 by Jim Hara and Gary Zechmeister.

Hara, who is president of Premier and remains a significant shareholder, stated that “the addition of Hillcrest as a partner greatly enhances our ability to leverage our outstanding design capabilities, vendor relationships, and project management skills to service customers on a larger national platform.”

All of Premier’s existing management and sales teams will continue in their current positions.

According to Jeff Turner, managing partner at Hillcrest, “Premier has continued to deliver outstanding design solutions to its customers and has performed extremely well during the difficult industry environment of the past few years. We look forward to expanding Premier’s reach through strategic acquisitions, opening of satellite offices, hiring of additional sales people and other exciting growth opportunities.”