This map shows you which NYC restaurants are owned by private equity
For many consumers, “private equity” has become a four-letter word. Private equity firms have acquired the unpopular reputation of purchasing food establishments that then notoriously decline in quality, as new owners cut costs in search of new avenues to profit. They’ve also been criticized for displacing mom-and-pop shops in the process. But beyond stereotypical signs of private…
A new website, isitownedbyprivateequity.com, aims to help New York City residents make informed decisions about the restaurants and cafes they visit. Private equity firms have been criticized for their impact on food establishments, often resulting in decreased quality and the displacement of local businesses. The site, created by Davie Liebowitz, provides an interactive map of NYC eateries, revealing whether they are privately or publicly owned, and if they are backed by private equity or venture capital.
As of now, just over 5,000 NYC establishments are tracked on the site, with 28% of them owned or backed by private equity. The majority of these are Dunkin' Donuts and Subway locations, acquired by Roark Capital in 2020 and 2024, respectively. The site also provides a "before vs. after the deal" feature that shows changes in quality based on ACSI scores for private equity-owned or -backed businesses.
Liebowitz emphasizes that being privately owned doesn't guarantee higher quality, as seen with the Black Seed Bagels chain, which is privately owned but lacks in service. He hopes the site will increase transparency and help consumers make more objective choices when dining out.
Written by urgent.news from Fast Company's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
