Last checked Sep 22, 2026
Cotton Patch Cafecottonpatch.comCotton Patch Cafe is not currently listed as private-equity-owned.
Ownership & Acquisition History
Cotton Patch Cafe is not currently controlled by a private equity firm; it was acquired from PE firm Altamont Capital Partners by Local Favorite Restaurants, which states it is solely owned by its founder/CEO Mike Karns.
Notes
- Cotton Patch Cafe announced on June 29, 2026 that Local Favorite Restaurants acquired the company from Altamont Capital Partners (a private equity firm), indicating Cotton Patch Cafe is no longer PE-owned after that transaction.
- Local Favorite Restaurants’ own site states its founder/CEO Mike Karns is the sole owner of Local Favorite Restaurants, supporting that the current parent is not a private equity sponsor.
- Cotton Patch Cafe’s own site states it opened in 1989 in Nacogdoches, Texas and names founders Larry Marshall and Michael Patranella.
- Altamont Capital Partners announced it acquired Cotton Patch Cafe in 2015, indicating the business was previously private-equity-owned (2015–2026), though it is not PE-owned today.
- Logo URL: an official direct logo image URL could not be reliably identified from the retrieved sources within this run; consider using a Wikimedia logo file or an official brand/press asset if available.
Sources
- Local Favorite Restaurants Acquires Cotton Patch Cafe
Morningstar (Business Wire) - Ownership change: Local Favorite Restaurants acquired Cotton Patch Cafe from Altamont Capital Partners (June 29, 2026).
- Meet the Founder & CEO
Local Favorite Restaurants - Current ownership of parent: states Mike Karns is the sole owner of Local Favorite Restaurants.
- 37 Years of Texas Comfort Food, Straight Out of Nacogdoches
Cotton Patch Cafe - Founding details: opened in 1989 in Nacogdoches, Texas; founded by Larry Marshall and Michael Patranella.
- Altamont Capital Partners Acquires Cotton Patch Cafe, LLC
Altamont Capital Partners - Prior PE ownership: Altamont announced it acquired Cotton Patch Cafe in 2015; also references the founders and first location in 1989.
- Cotton Patch Café’s Sale Brings 46 Restaurants Into Local Favorite
QSR Pro - Transaction coverage confirming Local Favorite acquired Cotton Patch Cafe from Altamont.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_Patch_Caf%C3%A9
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2026/06/30/deal-wrap-cotton-patch-cafe-lockheed-martin.html
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://goroundrock.com/dining/cotton-patch-cafe/
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://mergr.com/companies/pe-backed/restaurants/united-states/texas/recently-acquired
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/facilitator_searchable_pdfs/AprilMay18/S_Mahoney_-_Cover_Story.pdf
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://corporateofficehq.com/cotton-patch-cafe-corporate-office/
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://restaurantassociation.com/news/texas-chains-expand-after-cotton-patch-sale/
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
Ownership FAQ
Is Cotton Patch Cafe owned by private equity?
No. Cotton Patch Cafe does not currently appear to be private-equity-owned.
Who owns Cotton Patch Cafe?
Local Favorite Restaurants (privately held; owned by founder/CEO Mike Karns)
When was Cotton Patch Cafe last checked?
This page was last checked on Sep 22, 2026.