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Changed hands

Changed hands · 2026Salt Hank’sNow owned by Wonder
Changed hands · 2025Dave's Hot ChickenNow owned by Roark Capital
Changed hands · 2025Insomnia Cookies (Bromfield St)Now owned by Verlinvest and Mistral Equity Partners

Just opened

New independent spots in Chicago.

Just opened · Oct 2026 · Logan SquareHooliganFirst independent restaurant from chef and owner Christian Hunter
Just opened · Sep 2026 · West TownOnion City RecordsSecond record store from the Bridgeport Records founders
Just opened · Sep 2026 · Humboldt ParkTAANFirst restaurant from Chicago-born chef and former school counselor Chanita Chayaluk
Just opened · Sep 2026 · Lincoln ParkOsteria GilbertoThree friends open an osteria named for a partner's late father

Who owns it

Short reads on who really owns the places around you.

Look closerYour child's daycare may be owned by a fund. New research says PE daycares cost more than most, but not more than big chains.A new paper found private equity backed providers charge substantially more than the broad group of non-PE providers, but not more than other large chains.Look closerThe UK now requires vets to show on the sign whether they are independent or part of a group. Boston pet owners have to look it up.Boston Veterinary Clinic calls itself a family clinic. It took a growth investment in 2022 and its Seaport site recruits as part of a larger network.Look closerTatte and Life Alive look like two Boston favorites. One investment firm sits behind both.Act III Holdings, run by Panera's former CEO, backs both cafe brands as they expand.Changed handsJ. Alexander's was a Nashville-headquartered public company. Now funds managed by Fortress own it.SPB Hospitality bought the 47-restaurant chain in September 2021 for about $220 million.Look closerDraper James looks like a celebrity's Southern boutique. A private equity manager owns about 70 percent.Consortium Brand Partners bought a majority stake in September 2023. Reese Witherspoon stayed on as a partner and board member.The other modelA Nashville salon where everyone who works there owns it.Mayday is a worker-owned cooperative. The Nashville Scene reports everyone shares in the labor and the profits.

Top rated in Chicago

See all
10

Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen

Chicago

10

Fauna Veterinary Care

Uptown

10

Billy Goat Tavern

Near North Side

10

Calumet Fisheries

South Deering

10

Gene & Jude's

River Grove

10

Johnnie's Beef

Elmwood Park

10

Lem's Bar-B-Q

Chatham

10

Lou Mitchell's

West Loop

Watch out

Aspen Dental - Chicago, IL (Fulton Market) - Fulton Market

Private equity or corporate owned

1

Dunkin' - Adams St

Inspire Brands

1

Dunkin' - Depaul Center University

Inspire Brands

1
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