ADT Solar TM will provide customers with rooftop solar and energy storage solutions across 22 states, with plans to expand Represents ADT’s entrance into the high-growth residential solar market Creates tremendous customer value combining leading smart home security and sustainable home energy and management solutions from a single, trusted provider Sunpro Solar founder Marc Jones named ADT Executive Vice President, Solar

Excerpt from article by Benjamin Glick in Middle Market Growth April 14th, 2021: Few businesses were hit harder by the COVID-19 pandemic than restaurants. According to a year-end report from the National Restaurant Association, the COVID-19 pandemic caused restaurant sales volume to drop $240 billion. More than 110,000 food and drink sellers closed temporarily or for good, and 8 million workers were furloughed or let go in 2020. According to Toby Warticovschi, a partner at St. Louis-based PE firm Millstone Capital Advisors, the overarching theme of its portfolio companies last year was adaptability. Millstone is heavily invested in the food industry with its Lion’s Choice and Native Foods chain of restaurants. Both brands continue to face supply chain and labor challenges, Warticovschi says. “These challenges are likely to be with us for some time,” he says. But the firm’s management teams continue to adapt to evolving market conditions. [...]

ST. LOUIS, MO (Mar 3, 2021) - St. Louis-based Lion’s Choice has a long history of charitable involvement in its communities, donating both money and food in response to local needs. By partnering with GiftAMeal, they hope to involve their customers in what has always been a central value of the brand. Lion’s Choice president and CEO Michael Kupstas remarks: “Healing hunger, providing healthy food to children in need — I’m so grateful we’re in a position to be bolstering the incredible work done by organizations like Operation Food Search. It’s a cause close to my heart and close to the heart of our business, and we’re very excited to be partnering with GiftAMeal to make a difference locally in a way that gets the whole community involved. And I love the message of the program: we all have the power to help those around us! I expect our [...]

ST. LOUIS, MO (Oct. 19, 2020) – Sunpro Solar, a top five U.S. residential solar provider, announced today it secured investments from Compass Group Equity Partners, MGG Investment Group, LP (“MGG”), TGP Investments, and Millstone Capital Advisors. Based in New Orleans, Sunpro Solar operates in 16 states and was ranked No. 372 on the Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s fastest-growing privately held companies for 2020. “This investment will support Sunpro’s plans for continued growth and expansion across North America,” said Sunpro Solar Founder and CEO Marc Jones. “We’re excited to partner with Compass Group and MGG to complete this transaction as we solidify our plans to bring cost effective renewable energy to homeowners nationwide. We have a phenomenal team and incredible culture at Sunpro, and this investment allows us to build both even further.” Managing Partner of St. Louis-based Compass Group Equity Partners, John Huhn, said the [...]

LACON, IL (July 19, 2020) - Two growing local businesses have come forward in the past month and publicly declared interest in property in Lacon’s industrial park at the northeast edge of town, and city officials have started the formal process of putting the land up for bids. Representatives of Hardin Industries LLC, a longstanding metal fabricator that produces custom generator packaging and other equipment, appeared before the City Council last week to express interest in acquiring 10 of the roughly 28 city-owned acres neighboring the company’s existing site at 400 N. Commercial St. That came just a month after officials from River Valley Pipe LLC, a manufacturer of farm drainage tile, told the council that their firm would like to obtain the entire 28 acres in order to relocate and expand its current operation off Illinois Route 26 just north of town. Hardin, which now operates in [...]

ST. LOUIS (August 28, 2019) — Food & Wine Magazine has named Lion’s Choice as the best fast-food restaurant in the state of Missouri. An article posted Tuesday lists their picks for the best for each state in the nation. This is what the magazine had to say about Lion’s Choice. The chain of restaurants can only be found near St. Louis. “We’ll get to those classic roast beef sandwiches, some of the best you’ll find at a fast-food joint, and to the little dispensers sitting on the counter labeled “Au Jus,” from which you may allow yourself just as much as you like, turning that sandwich into a French dip, for all you care. (Don’t forget the horseradish.) For starters, though, can we talk about the ice cream? Being St. Louis, where they know from these things, it’s more like frozen custard, thick and creamy, and it’s [...]

ST. LOUIS (March 4, 2019) - Millstone Capital Advisors announced that Nancy Siemer joined Lion’s Choice as Vice President of Operations. Nancy has held several positions with Starbucks Coffee, most recently serving as Regional Operations Manager for HMS Host responsible for the coffee company’s operations in 19 airports and 89 locations.  Prior to joining HMS Host, she was a District Manager in St Louis for company operations and licensed operations, each for 3 years where she was recognized with several awards including District Manager of the Year for the Southeast Region; The Spirit Award, recognizing contributions to partners, customers and community; and the coveted Bravo Award in support of the company’s mission, values and objectives.  Prior to Starbucks, Nancy was a District Manager with Interstate Auto Group. Nancy brings a wealth of food service knowledge and experience to Lion’s Choice.  She is committed to people and their development, [...]

ST. LOUIS (June 18, 2018) — Millstone Capital Advisors, a St. Louis-based private equity management company, recently announced its purchase of the Native Foods restaurant chain. Native Foods'  management team, led by president and restaurant-industry veteran Scott McDonnell, will continue to build the brand following the acquisition. Founded in 1994 in Palm Springs, California, Native Foods has earned the reputation as a premier plant-based, fast-casual restaurant group, with 13 restaurants in California, Colorado, Oregon and Illinois.The chain’s 100-percent plant-based menu features chef-crafted, made-from-scratch entrees with global flavors, including Pad Thai, Bulgogi Kimchi Tacos, Native Double Cheeseburger and Chicken & Waffles. Native Foods compassionate dining focus extends beyond the menu and includes an emphasis on environmentally friendly business practices. Its unique menu and approach has earned Native Foods a crossover appeal that covers a broad segment of the population, with a majority of customers (75 percent) identifying themselves as non-vegan [...]

ST. LOUIS (May 31, 2017) — Lion’s Choice, the St. Louis-based quick-service restaurant chain, has named Mike Kupstas the company’s new CEO, effective immediately. Kupstas is a 35-year veteran of the restaurant industry and prior to joining Lion’s Choice, held senior executive and marketing positions at Panera Bread, Long John Silver’s and Red Lobster. As CEO of Lion’s Choice, Kupstas is responsible for the daily management of the company and the future expansion of the 25-unit restaurant chain. He reports to Bob Millstone, chairman of the board of Lion’s Choice. “I’ve known Mike for over 15 years, and he’s the perfect leader to guide us into the future,” said Becky Fine, Lion’s Choice COO. “He knows how to build a brand with a soul and recognizes the importance our loyal co-workers play while putting the customer first in all that we do.” Kupstas began his restaurant career in 1979 [...]