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 [...]

ST. LOUIS (Sept. 8, 2016) — Lion’s Choice, the St. Louis-based quick-service restaurant chain, has named Rebecca Fine the company’s new chief operating officer, effective immediately. Fine has more than 30 years of experience in the specialty restaurant, beverage and retail industries and has been named one of the Top Women in Quick Service in 2011 by QSR Magazine. As COO of Lion’s Choice, Fine is responsible for leading the daily operations at all corporate and franchise store locations and the future expansion of the 25-unit restaurant chain. “The appointment of Becky Fine as COO of Lion’s Choice is an exciting chapter in our company’s 49-year history,” said Joe Buttice, president and CEO of Lion’s Choice. “Becky brings deep restaurant experience and a proven track record of success to the position. Her knowledge and understanding of the quick service restaurant industry coupled with her human resources expertise make her [...]

Hardin Industries, the Lacon, Ill.-based manufacturer of custom generator set enclosures, fuel tanks and trailers, has been acquired by private equity firm Millstone Capital Advisors. Founder Dale Hardin will continue with the company as president, working alongside Becki Salmon who has joined the company as Chief Financial Officer. Financial terms were not disclosed. “I am enthusiastic about this partnership with the Millstone team,” said Hardin. “Our employees and customers can rest assured knowing that our commitment to a great workplace that delivers superior products will continue well into the future.” Millstone expects its capital resources to enable Hardin to increase production capacity and efficiencies. “Hardin has great potential for growth,” said Bob Millstone, managing partner of Millstone Capital Advisors,” building on its reputation for customer satisfaction through high quality products and efficient operations. Dale’s continued leadership, coupled with Becki’s exceptional strategic planning, financial and operating skills will provide impressive [...]

Jan 29, 2016, 5:00am CST    Bob Millstone and his team at private equity firm Millstone Capital Advisors have launched a second fund aimed at investing in or acquiring middle-market companies. Millstone already has raised more than $6 million of a planned $30 million offering for FSM Fund II LP, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Millstone, citing SEC rules that prohibit disclosure during a private equity raise, declined to comment on the raise. He did say the fund would carry the same investment strategy as the firm’s first FSM fund (launched in 2013) that sought to invest in profitable emerging growth companies with revenue ranging from approximately $10 million to $100 million. The new raise also lists other Millstone principals, including senior partner Fred Flegel and partner Toby Warticovschi as executive officers. The firm used its first fund — a planned $30 million offering — [...]

ST. LOUIS (May 16, 2016) — Rock Hill residents are now able to get a famous Lion’s Choice roast beef sandwich in their neighborhood. The Saint Louis-based quick-service chain, renowned for its thinly shaved roast beef sandwiches, recently opened its newest location in Rock Hill, Missouri. On Friday, May 20, Lion's Choice will celebrate the opening by offering a few lucky dine-in Rock Hill guests a chance to win tickets to upcoming Cardinal baseball and Saint Louis Football Club games. Additionally, Lion's Choice will distribute scratch off tickets to Rock Hill customers redeemable for discounts during a future visit. The new restaurant features a modern design with a brick and stone exterior encircling the Lion’s Choice seal. The location includes outdoor seating and a dual drive-thru for faster customer service. The store’s interior features custom-built tables sourced from reclaimed barn wood, USB charging ports for on the go customers [...]

Lion’s Choice, the Saint Louis-based quick-service restaurant chain famous for its mouthwatering roast beef sandwiches, continues its expansion by re-opening its former location in Wentzville, MO. The store, on 901 West Pearce Blvd, was formerly operated by a franchise group and will now be operated by corporate Lion’s Choice. The Wentzville location officially re-opened to the public on April 13th and brings the total number of Lion’s Choice locations in the Saint Louis metro area to 24. Customers of the Wentzville location will experience a remodeled store interior, but can expect the same commitment to serving high quality and nutritious food through the same great customer service. The store will officially celebrate its re-opening on Friday, April 22nd. During the opening celebration, customers can expect to receive coupons for future visits as well as other giveaways. In 2015, Lion’s Choice opened its first new location in a decade in [...]

  Posted By Emily McCarter on Wed, Jul 22, 2015 at 11:49 AM With modern finishes, high ceilings, a redesigned layout, multiple televisions and accessible USB charging ports, Lion's Choice is catching up with the times. The locally based fast-food chain hadn't opened a new location in over a decade, until the new location at 3048 Clarkson Road opened its doors for business in June. Under new ownership, the new style and experience showcases the new owner's concept of what Lion's Choice can be. Local investors Millstone Capital Advisors and BlackRock Holdings purchased the St. Louis-based chain from its founders, Marvin Gibbs and Clint Tobias, approximately a year and a half ago. The new owners then hired Chicago-based Chipman Design to develop a new style, brand and identity for the chain. In addition to the modern touches inside, the new location features new outside patio furniture and two drive-thru [...]

Ellisville store will feature a new design, marks the first restaurant to be opened under the new ownership group ST. LOUIS (Feb. 2, 2015) — Soon Ellisville residents will be able to get a famous Lion’s Choice roast beef sandwich in their neighborhood. The Saint Louis-based quick-service restaurant chain, renowned for its high-quality roast beef, will open a new Lion’s Choice in Ellisville, Missouri, in spring 2015. The new 3,000 square-foot restaurant will feature a sophisticated energy-efficient design, outdoor seating and a dual drive-thru for faster customer service. It will still include its unique sauce bar, which allows customers to choose from ketchup, tangy BBQ, sweet and smoky BBQ, chipotle ranch, honey mustard and Lion’s Choice famous horseradish sauce. This is the first Lion’s Choice store to be opened by the new ownership group, Saint Louis-based Millstone Capital Advisors and Black Rock Holdings, which purchased the restaurant chain in [...]

May 30, 2014 12:15 am  •  By Lisa Brown  •  lbrown@post-dispatch.com  •  314-340-8127 Following Robert Millstone’s launch of Millstone Capital Advisors in April 2013, a fund managed by the private equity firm acquired the Lion’s Choice restaurant chain. Now Millstone, an attorney and real estate developer, is evaluating multiple businesses to invest in both locally and nationally, as Clayton-based Millstone Capital Advisors looks to grow. Millstone, who was born in St. Louis, began his career in 1988 as an associate at the Coburn & Croft law firm, now known as Thompson Coburn. For a few years in the early 1990s, he worked as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice’s tax division in Washington. He returned to his hometown in 1994 at the request of his grandfather, the late philanthropist and builder I.E. Millstone, to join a construction firm that had built dozens of St. Louis highways and landmarks, including the second [...]