News

November 29, 2006

Norwest Mezzanine Partners Invests $20.2 Million in Southeast QSR Holdings, LLC

Norwest Mezzanine Partners invested $13.7 million of senior subordinated debt and $6.5 million of equity in Southeast QSR Holdings, LLC, a YUM! Brands franchisee that owns and operates 54 Taco Bell restaurants and 1 Pizza Hut Express restaurant concentrated in the Jacksonville, Mobile / Pensacola, and Augusta markets.

Prometheus Partners, through its fund Windward V, served as the private equity sponsor for this transaction.  Visit www.prometheuspartners.com for more information.

NMP Contact: Shani Graber, 612-215-1694, sgraber@nmp.com

Norwest Equity Partners (NEP) is a leading middle market investment focused on partnering with business owners and building companies into industry leaders. With a reputation for quality investments and exceptional financial returns since 1961, NEP manages nearly $5 billion of capital through a series of equity and mezzanine funds. Offering creative and flexible transaction solutions through management buyouts, recapitalizations and growth financings, NEP seeks $30-$150 million equity investment opportunities for growing and profitable companies within the agriculture, applied technology, business services, consumer products and services, distribution, healthcare and industrial industry sectors. NEP is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota; please visit nep.com for more information.