Buffets

Buffets was the largest operator of buffet-style restaurants in the United States, with 410 restaurants operating as HomeTown Buffet or Old Country Buffet in 38 states. In 2000, Sentinel, together with private equity firm Caxton-Iseman Capital, took Buffets Inc. private in a going-private transaction valued at $665 million. Buffets—since renamed Ovation Brands—was positioned in the midscale dining segment and offered a convenient, value-priced selection of high-quality food and excellent customer service. With innovations such as the scatter-bar system and all-inclusive pricing, Buffets’ brands were synonymous with the modern buffet concept.