Georgia Oak Partners invests in Farm Burger

Georgia Oak Partners has made a growth private equity investment into Farm Burger, which the new partners said would allow for the fast-casual burger chain’s expansion across the southeastern United States.

“This investment demonstrates our commitment to providing resources for Georgia-based companies to reach their full potential,” said Michael Lonergan, managing partner of Georgia Oak Partners, in a prepared statement.

The burger chain, founded in Atlanta in 2010, has locations in around Atlanta, Georgia (Decatur, Buckhead, Dunwoody); Asheville and South Asheville, North Carolina; Huntsville, Alabama; Berkeley and Marin, California; Nashville, Tennessee; and plans to open soon in Birmingham, Alabama.

The restaurant uses 100 percent grass-fed beef and locally-sourced ingredients, with a menu that also includes antibiotic-free chicken, pasture-raised pork, veggie burgers, seasonal salads and hand-cut fries.

Georgia Oak Partners has provided previous growth equity investments to TeamOne Logistics, Your Pie, Spectrum Staffing, Prong, and Excent.

“Our long-term view is an alternative to ‘traditional’ investors who often operate with the self-serving short-term in mind,” according to the company’s website.

“Vanilla financial engineering has thrived during the peaks of economic cycles, when high growth and high debt lined the pockets of many investors. But as things normalize, many fundamentally sound businesses can be left without the capital they need.”

Lonergan did not return calls seeking additional comment by press time.