Huddle House

Named for the huddling act in football, family-dining chain Huddle House was founded in Decatur, Ga. in 1964 by John Sparks. Sparks’ initial goal for the restaurant was to provide local customers with a 24-hour eatery and a place to eat after “the big game.”

Beginning in 2006, Huddle House was acquired by several companies starting with Allied Capital. Later, in 2009, Ares Capital acquired Allied Capital and then sold Huddle House to Sentinel Capital Partners in 2012. In 2018, Sentinel Capital Partners sold the brand to Elysium Management for an undisclosed amount.

Ascent Hospitality Group is the current parent company to Huddle House. Huddle House purchased family-dining brand Perkin’s out of bankruptcy in 2019, adding it to the portfolio and making Huddle House’s CEO Michael Abt the group’s chief executive for both brands.

Key Data: Huddle House

Headquarters: Atlanta

Segment: Midscale Dining

Restaurant Segment: FSR Midscale

Number of US Locations: 328

2020 Sales: $210.0 million

Annual Growth

Source: Datassential Firefly 500

CEO: Michael Abt

Parent/Group: Ascent Hospitality Group