Bob Evans to sell restaurants

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- Bob Evans Farms, Inc., announced the sale of Bob Evans Restaurants.

The restaurant were sold for $565 million to Golden Gate Capital, a private equity firm in San Francisco.

This will include the 3 restaurants in Zanesville.

Aaron Huffman said he frequents Bob Evans but doesn’t mind the change.

“You know it’s just part of the times, it doesn’t bother me that they’re being bought out providing that they’re still going to be Bob Evans,” said Huffman.

Huffman said he hopes they continue to treat their employees properly.

“That’s the biggest problem with the buyouts and the change-overs, if you think they’re not treating their employees right or if the quality of food goes downhill then you’ve got something to complain about,” said Huffman.

The deal will split the restaurant part of the company from the food division that makes the convenience foods found in the freezer aisles of most grocery stores.

Cameron Bailey said the change in ownership doesn’t bother him, as long as the food stays consistent.

“I mean it really is home cooking and every time I go there I get pretty much the same thing and if they would change it then it would change everything about how I go there,” said Bailey.

Bailey said the restaurant gives him a sense of nostalgia.

“They serve really good food and it kind of reminds me of stuff that my mom or grandma would cook,” said Bailey.

Bob Evans Farms also announced they are buying Pineland Farms Potato Company based in Mars Hill, Maine for at least $115 million. The two deals are so the company can focus on growing the food division.

Bob Evans Farms has over 500 restaurants in 18 states. Both deals are expected to close by the end of the year.