Last checked Sep 17, 2026
MalaTown (U.S. restaurant brand; operating via Mala Town / Mala Town LLC)malatown.usMalaTown (U.S. restaurant brand; operating via Mala Town / Mala Town LLC) is not currently listed as private-equity-owned.
Ownership & Acquisition History
No credible evidence was found that MalaTown is currently controlled by a private equity firm or private equity fund.
Notes
- Forbes reports that Gao debuted the MalaTown brand in October 2023 in Union City, California.
- A California business filing listing (compiled from CA Secretary of State registry data) shows "Mala Town LLC" associated with "Yang Gao" at a Union City, CA address, supporting founder/operator identification.
- MalaTown’s LinkedIn company page describes the business as "Privately Held" and states it was founded in San Francisco and New York City, which conflicts with the Union City, CA debut location described by Forbes.
- No sources identified a current private equity sponsor, PE fund, or PE-owned platform as controlling owner.
Sources
- China’s Spicy Hotpot Leader Cooks Up A New Brand In The U.S.
Forbes - Founder/operator context and founding timing/location for MalaTown (debut in Union City, CA in October 2023 by Gao).
- Mala Town LLC Union City, CA - filing information
BizProfile (compiled from CA Secretary of State registry data) - Associates Mala Town LLC with the name Yang Gao and a Union City, CA address (supporting operator identity/location).
- Mala Town | LinkedIn
LinkedIn - Lists website (malatown.us), describes company as privately held, and provides an alternate founding-location description (San Francisco and New York City).
- MalaTown - Craft Your Perfect Bowl (Privacy Policy)
MalaTown - Confirms the official domain and operating contact context for MalaTown’s app/web services.
- https://www.malatown.nyc/
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://www.malatown.us/locations
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://www.key.com/businesses-institutions/our-transactions/deals.mytown-health-partners.html
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/malatown-us/id6475927163
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://www.malatown.com.au/about
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://www.ezcater.com/brand/malatown
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2019-07-08/newsfeed-restaurant-news-dining
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://maps.apple.com/place?place-id=IDEDEAAEE243134AF
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
Ownership FAQ
Is MalaTown (U.S. restaurant brand; operating via Mala Town / Mala Town LLC) owned by private equity?
No. MalaTown (U.S. restaurant brand; operating via Mala Town / Mala Town LLC) does not currently appear to be private-equity-owned.
Who owns MalaTown (U.S. restaurant brand; operating via Mala Town / Mala Town LLC)?
Privately held (appears founder-controlled/management-controlled; no evidence of current private equity sponsor control found)
When was MalaTown (U.S. restaurant brand; operating via Mala Town / Mala Town LLC) last checked?
This page was last checked on Sep 17, 2026.