Cafe Enterprises

About Cafe Enterprises

In 1988, Cafe Enterprises was established in Taylors, South Carolina, entering the casual dining restaurant scene. The company's core business was operating a chain of company-owned, full-service restaurants. The primary brand under its umbrella was FATZ Cafe, which grew to have a significant presence across the southeastern United States, with locations in North and South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia. The business model focused on providing classic American fare in a family-friendly, casual dining setting. A key moment in the company's journey occurred in April 2014 when it received a significant $13 million investment from Triangle Capital Corp., a Raleigh-based investment firm. This capital was secured as the company was expanding, having launched two new concepts, Tablefields and Tavern 24, in 2012. At that time, Cafe Enterprises operated 48 FATZ Cafe restaurants. Over its lifetime, the company raised a total of $18.4 million. Despite its decades of operation and growth, the story of Cafe Enterprises took a downward turn. The company, which was private and private-equity backed, eventually ceased operations. By 2025, the company was described as 'deadpooled', marking the end of its run in the competitive restaurant industry.