Advisors
Michael L. Atkinson | Bailiwick Capital LLC
Bailiwick Capital [Bailiwick Consumer Group] and Michael L. Atkinson bring over 30 years of restaurant and business experience as developers, operators, and investment bankers to retail restaurant and consumer sector businesses.
Michael’s restaurant career began as a restaurant manager with Victoria Station, Inc. in 1977. Since then, Michael has made a career of working with promising young retail and restaurant brands, and advising corporate executives on business matters dealing with strategy, expansion, corporate finance, private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and franchising, among others. Over the years, Michael has created and developed dozens of innovative restaurant concepts and has owned several restaurants. Michael has worked with a number of chains including Chili’s, Left at Albuquerque, Cold Stone Creamery, Aqua, Pisces, La Salsa and with celebrity chefs including Michael Mina and Bradley Ogden.
Ray is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Mikuni Sushi of Sacramento and President of Tahoe Restaurant Group, a joint venture partnership. In addition, Ray is a consultant to three venture capital and private equity firms, representing more than $400 million in assets. Ray is also a board member for United Enterprise Fund (NYC - private equity), specializing in restaurant franchise investments. Ray has assisted with deal flow, due diligence, and participated with deal structure and financing for restaurant related investments.
Most recently (October 2005-January 2006), Ray was the CEO/President for Blimpie International, a 1600 - unit franchisor based in Atlanta, Georgia. Ray was responsible for its recent corporate restructuring, return to a cash flow positive position, and sale of Blimpie franchising assets to Kahala Corporation.
As a veteran restaurant executive, Ray’s twenty years in operations include more than 150 store openings nationwide and direct responsibility for strategic growth. Ray has held corporate and senior management positions with several national chains: Bennigan’s, California Pizza Kitchen, Boston Market, Blimpie International and World Wrapps.