Brinker International

Brand Partner
Brinker International is one of the world's leading casual dining restaurant companies, serving more than 1 million guests daily. Founded in 1975 and based in Dallas, Texas, Brinker owns or franchises more than 1,500 restaurants in 24 countries and employs more than 100,000 people.

In addition to Romano's Macaroni Grill, Brinker restaurant brands include Chili's Grill & Bar, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina and Maggiano's Little Italy. The company was named one of FORTUNE Magazine's Most Admired Companies in 2006, and in 2005 was honored by the magazine as one of the Top 50 Employers for Minorities and the Top 50 Employers for Women. For more information, visit brinker.com.

Saugatuck Capital

Investment Partner
Founded in 1982, Saugatuck Associates serves as the investment advisor to the Saugatuck Capital Company Limited Partnerships.

Saugatuck is in the process of investing its fourth fund, an SBIC with $125 million in capital. The partnerships are funded by major corporate pension funds, institutional investors, a number of wealthy individuals and the principals of Saugatuck. As advisor, Saugatuck seeks to make private equity investments in companies with exceptional management teams and unique opportunities for growth.

Saugatuck's objective is to build companies of outstanding value in partnership with management. Drawn from the fields of operations, consulting and finance, Saugatuck's principals offer a broad, comprehensive insight into all facets of a company's organization. In addition, the principals are supported by a board of advisors, which provides additional resources and expertise. For more information, visit saugatuckcapital.com.

Crates Thompson Capital

Investment Partner

For more information, visit cratesthompsoncapital.com

GE Capital

Finance Partner
GE Commercial Finance, Franchise Finance is a leading lender for the franchise finance market via direct sales and portfolio acquisition in the United States and Canada. With more than $12 billion in served assets, GEFF serves over 6,000 customers and over 21,000 property locations, primarily in the restaurant, hospitality, branded beverage, storage and automotive industries. GEFF offers customers access to capital with a menu of products featuring flexible structuring, including financing for acquisitions, refinancing, construction of new units, and remodels for single- and multi-unit operators/chains. For more information, visit cefcorp.com.

Portland Habitat for Humanity

Philanthropic Partner
Each year, Waterloo holds a fundraiser for Portland Habitat for Humanity-donating an entire day of proceeds from our sales system-wide. In 2006, this gift totaled more than $100,000. As a Christian ministry, Portland Habitat for Humanity's mission is to create partnerships among volunteers, families and the community to transform lives and revitalize neighborhoods by enabling families in need to earn and own a simple, decent, affordable home. Portland Habitat for Humanity is currently one of Portland's only providers of home-ownership opportunities to families living at 30 percent to 60 percent of the median Portland household income level. Partnering with the community, Habitat volunteers build simple, decent homes, which are then sold at cost with a zero-interest, 1-percent down-payment mortgage to hardworking, deserving families who qualify for the Habitat program. Since its inception, Portland Habitat for Humanity has helped more than 100 families escape substandard housing and move into safe, decent, affordable homes. For more information, visit pdxhabitat.org.