BRS Completes Sale of Real Mex Restaurants to Sun Capital Partners

NEW YORK, August 21, 2006 — Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. (“BRS”) today announced the completion of the sale of portfolio company Real Mex Restaurants, Inc. (“Real Mex”) to Sun Capital Partners. Piper Jaffray & Co, Deutsche Bank A.G. and Wachovia Corp. served as financial advisors to Real Mex on the transaction.

Real Mex is the largest full-service, casual dining Mexican restaurant company in the United States with almost 200 company-owned restaurants operating in more than a dozen States. Real Mex’s primary restaurant concepts – El Torito, El Torito Grill, Chevys Fresh Mex and Acapulco – offer a wide variety of traditional, innovative and authentic Mexican dishes. All four concepts feature fresh, high quality, flavorful food served in a casual atmosphere. BRS first invested in Real Mex in 1998, acquiring the Acapulco restaurant chain. In June 2000, BRS invested additional funds in Real Mex to finance the acquisition of El Torito Restaurants from Prandium Restaurants. In January 2005, Real Mex acquired the well-known brand Chevys Fresh Mex, increasing Real Mex’s scale and presence outside California.

BRS is a New York based private equity investment firm with approximately $1.2 billion under management. BRS was founded in 1995 and has since invested in more than 40 companies in the following industries: restaurants, consumer goods, specialty retail, recreation/leisure, apparel, home furnishings, industrial and commercial services, commercial equipment manufacturing, wholesale distribution and healthcare services. BRS makes leveraged buyout, recapitalization and growth capital investments in companies with superior management, predictable cash flow, strong market share and growth potential. All management teams of BRS companies are equity investors in their businesses.

CONTACT:

Paul Kaminski – Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co., 212-521-3700
E-MAIL: kaminski@brs.com
WEBSITE: www.brs.com