Fast-casual quick-service operator Biscuit Belly has announced the acquisition of 34 restaurant locations from Maple Street Biscuit Company, a subsidiary of Cracker Barrel.
The transaction is structured to accelerate Biscuit Belly’s expansion footprint across the US Southeast, creating a clear pathway to exceed 60 operating units by the end of 2028. Under the terms of the agreement, the company will convert the acquired real estate portfolio to the Biscuit Belly brand over an 18- to 24-month operational window.
Footprint Expansion and Timeline
The transaction represents a significant expansion step for the Louisville-based gourmet biscuit concept. Prior to the acquisition, Biscuit Belly operated 15 locations across the Southeast. The addition of the 34 former Maple Street units more than triples the brand's existing physical footprint.
The conversion process is scheduled to begin immediately, targeting initial site transitions in key regional markets:
📍 Greater Cincinnati Area: Initial conversion wave focusing on established midwestern suburban corridors.
📍 Richmond, Virginia: Rebranding targeted locations to strengthen the operator's Mid-Atlantic presence.
By acquiring operational units, Biscuit Belly aims to integrate established store-level restaurant teams and existing physical site infrastructure directly into its brand portfolio.
Real Estate and Labour
The acquisition strategy allows the operator to bypass common growth bottlenecks in the current restaurant development environment, specifically real estate site acquisition lead times and store-level recruitment.
Chad Coulter, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Biscuit Belly, stated that securing existing operational sites with trained teams addresses two primary obstacles facing expanding foodservice concepts, namely long site development timelines and local staffing challenges. Coulter noted that evaluating Maple Street's geographic density, unit footprints, and store personnel identified a clear opportunity for rapid scaling.
Lauren Coulter, Co-Founder of Biscuit Belly, added that the transaction supports the company's long-term operational objective to establish itself as the largest gourmet biscuit brand in the United States.
Regional Growth and Integration
Founded in 2019, Biscuit Belly began franchising in 2020. The company plans to maintain local community connections across the acquired locations while updating dining room interiors and transitioning menus to its proprietary product lineup.
The brand transition will take place incrementally over the next two years, with further operational integration details expected as site conversions progress across the regional network.
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