Larsons to acquire T.G.I. Friday's in Eau Claire

TBL has learned that Quantum Leap Restaurants of Eau Claire, LLC, which is part of a chain of T.G.I. Friday's Restaurants in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North and South Dakota and Wisconsin, is in the process of finalizing an agreement to acquire the T.G.I. Friday's at 4800 Golf Rd., Eau Claire.

"The Eau Claire Friday's was opened in 1999 and has been operated by Carlson Restaurants Worldwide. We've been talking with Carslon for some time and we came to an agreement to close the purchase on June 25th and we will be taking over ownership on Tues., June 26th," said Tom Larson, president of Quantum Leap Restaurants Inc.

Quantum Leap, which acquired six T.G. I. Friday's from Wilmar,MN-based Restech Inc. last November, is the fifth largest franchisee in the T.G.I. Friday's Restaurant system worldwide. The Eau Claire-based company will soon operate 15 Friday's locations.

"We have some experience buying existing restaurants and feel comfortable that we can make this a smooth transition," said Larson, who added that the company has no immediate plans to make any changes.

The City of Eau Claire License Review Committee this week recommended approval of the beer and liquor license. The Eau Claire City Council will act on the measure June 12th.

Quantum Leap Restaurants is one of five divisions owned and operated by Eau Claire-based Larson Companies, which is a group of asset-based real estate development and management companies located in the Midwest. The company owns and operates, either independently or through national franchises, companies like Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Microtel Inn & Suites, T.G.I. Friday's and Green Mill Restaurants. Calvin Kavanaugh, who has been the kitchen manager at Green Mill in Eau Claire the past five years, has been named manager of the T.G.I. Friday's in Eau Claire, effective June 26th. TBL