Executive Spotlight: Nathan Garn, CEO of Sizzling Platter (2027)
Nathan "Nate" Garn is the chief executive officer of Sizzling Platter, LLC, a Utah-based franchisee that operates restaurants for several national brands, including Little Caesars, Wingstop, Jamba and Jersey Mike's. The International Franchise Association (IFA) says he has held the CEO role since 2012. When Bain Capital agreed in July 2025 to acquire Sizzling Platter from CapitalSpring, the announcement said Garn would continue to lead the company.
This page covers public professional information only, drawn from the IFA, a company press release and trade press.
Current role and company
Garn is CEO of Sizzling Platter, LLC. The company is a franchisee, not a franchisor: it owns and runs restaurants under agreements with the brands. The July 2025 Bain Capital announcement said it was founded in 1963 and has more than 800 locations and over 13,000 team members in the United States and Mexico. Franchise Times describes it as based in Salt Lake City; a ZoomInfo directory listing gives a Murray, Utah address, so the exact office location varies by source.
- CompanySizzling Platter, LLC, a multi-brand restaurant franchisee based in the Salt Lake City area of Utah.
- TitleChief Executive Officer, in the role since 2012 (IFA profile).
- OwnerBain Capital North American Private Equity, which announced its acquisition from CapitalSpring in July 2025 (company release).
- BrandsThe July 2025 release names Little Caesars, Wingstop, Jersey Mike's, Dunkin' and Jamba. Franchise Times (April 2026) also lists Cinnabon, Sizzler and Red Robin, each with fewer than seven units.
Career path
- Real estate law. The IFA profile says that before joining Sizzling Platter he was a founding partner of a boutique real estate law firm, practicing in real estate investment, development and land use.
- 2012. He became CEO of Sizzling Platter, according to the IFA.
- Growth years. The IFA credits him with helping grow the company from about 180 restaurants in the western United States to more than 770 restaurants in two countries and eight brands.
- 2019. Franchise Times reports CapitalSpring bought the operator in February 2019, when it had about 420 locations.
- 2022. Sizzling Platter acquired 94 Jamba stores in California and Washington from VantEdge Partners, per Franchise Times.
- 2025. Bain Capital announced its investment on July 2, 2025, with Garn staying on as CEO. Franchise Times says the roughly $1 billion leveraged buyout took about ten months to close.
What he is known for
- Scaling a multi-brand franchisee. The IFA credits him with taking the company from about 180 to more than 770 restaurants during his tenure.
- A Deal of the Year sale. Franchise Times named the sale of Sizzling Platter to Bain Capital its Deal of the Year at the 14th annual Dealmakers awards (April 2026). The magazine noted that franchise agreements are generally restrictive and not built for large, institutionally backed operators, and that the eight franchisors had to be informed and negotiated with.
- Large Little Caesars and Wingstop portfolios. Franchise Times lists 475 Little Caesars restaurants (364 in the U.S. and 111 in Mexico) and 212 Wingstops.
Leadership style and philosophy
Garn's published remarks are limited. Franchise Times reports he is not pursuing new brands, and that the focus is unit growth within existing brands, operational excellence and customer experience. On the sale he told the magazine, "There's no possible way of having a transaction like this if our team members weren't incredible." In the Bain release he said Bain's experience investing in growing restaurant businesses makes it the right value-added partner to help expand the platform. This page does not claim a wider philosophy than these remarks.
Key numbers
Company-reported or press-reported figures, each with its period. Counts differ because sources use different dates.
- July 2025More than 800 locations and over 13,000 team members in the U.S. and Mexico (company release).
- IFA profileMore than 770 restaurants, two countries, eight brands (undated profile; photo uploaded February 2025).
- 2024$1.1 billion in sales across more than 700 locations (Franchise Times, April 2026).
- Brand countsLittle Caesars 475, Wingstop 212, Jamba 87, Jersey Mike's 48, Dunkin' 36 (Franchise Times, April 2026).
- Deal valueAbout $1 billion, per Franchise Times; the companies did not disclose financial terms.
Questions people ask
Who is Nathan Garn?
He is CEO of Sizzling Platter, LLC, a Utah-based multi-brand restaurant franchisee, and has held the role since 2012 according to the IFA.
What does Sizzling Platter do?
It owns and operates restaurants as a franchisee for several national brands, including Little Caesars, Wingstop, Jamba, Jersey Mike's and Dunkin'.
Who owns Sizzling Platter?
Bain Capital North American Private Equity announced in July 2025 that it was acquiring the company from CapitalSpring, which had owned it since 2019.
Did Garn stay on after the Bain deal?
Yes. The July 2025 release said he would continue to lead the company.
Where is Sizzling Platter based?
Franchise Times and the Bain release place it in the Salt Lake City area; one directory lists a Murray, Utah address.
Is Sizzling Platter adding new brands?
Franchise Times reports Garn is not pursuing new brands and is focused on unit growth in existing ones.
Sources
- IFA: Nate Garn profile · Title since 2012, prior law career, growth figures; hero photo whose alt text reads "Nate Garn"
- Franchise Times: Sale of mega-franchisee Sizzling Platter to Bain wins Deal of the Year (Apr 29, 2026) · Unit counts, history, strategy, quote
- Business Wire / FinancialContent: Sizzling Platter Partners with Bain Capital (Jul 2, 2025) · Company release: ownership, scale, brands, leadership continuity
- Verdict Food Service: Sizzling Platter Bain Capital expansion · Corroborates deal, 800 locations, 13,000 employees
- ZoomInfo: Sizzling Platter employee directory · Directory listing of a Murray, Utah address; low reliability
Facts were read from the linked pages on November 1, 2026. Titles, locations and counts differ across sources, so each is attributed. The hero photo is the IFA profile photo of Garn alone; its alt text on the IFA page reads "Nate Garn", and it is shown on a blurred background to fit the page format. This page covers public professional information only.
Top photo: International Franchise Association (franchise.org)