Since inception in 1972, Brentwood has invested in more than 50 companies across a wide array of industries. It has over $2 billion of assets under management and usually invests between $20 million and $200 million in each portfolio company. The firm's
leveraged buyout practice has focused on acquiring more mature businesses, while its venture capital group has invested in earlier stage,
startup companies.
Buyout investments The firm's leveraged buyout practice has completed more than 50 investments. Among the most notable companies in which Brentwood has invested include:
Ariat,
Oriental Trading Company,
Bell Sports, Bell Automotive,
Prince Sports, C.C. Filson, Graphic Controls Corporation,
The Teaching Company,
Stanley Works, and
Zumiez. In 2007, Brentwood Associates bought a controlling stake in
Zoës Kitchen. In April 2014, Zoës Kitchen's IPO offering raised $87.5 million. In July 2013, Brentwood Associates acquired Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar. In 2014, Brentwood acquired Marshall Retail Group in August and Z Gallerie in October. In November 2019, Brentwood acquired the southern-style chicken salad chain,
Chicken Salad Chick, for an undisclosed amount. In 2021, Brentwood Associates recapitalized MedBridge, a healthcare
SAAS platform.
Venture capital investments Brentwood's venture group, prior to its spinout separation in 1999, was among the most prominent investment firms in the
1990s Internet boom. Among the firm's most notable investments in software and internet businesses during this period included:
Wellfleet Communications, Xylan, Documentum, ISOCOR,
WebTV Networks and
Freegate. After 1999, investments in the internet and information technology sectors were made by Redpoint Ventures. Brentwood also had a long history of investing in health care companies with strategically important products or services. Today, the vast majority of Brentwood's successful healthcare investments have been acquired by and integrated into larger healthcare companies including
Baxter Healthcare and
Medtronic. Among Brentwood's most notable investments included Keravision, Aradigm, Webster Laboratories and Interflo Medical. ==References==