PJW Restaurant Group enters investment partnership, promises growth

Anthony V. Coppola, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
·2 min read

PJW Restaurant Group, most noted for its P.J. Whelihan's Pub locations, formed a partnership with a New York City-based firm that will "recapitalize and provide growth capital" for the popular brand, according to the investor.

Garnett Station Partners on Monday morning announced the deal with PJW but did not disclose financial terms.

PJW, founded in 1983, operates 26 restaurants in South Jersey and Pennsylvania, including 19 P.J. Whelihan's.

According to PJW founder Bob Platzer, the partnership with Garnett Station will allow his brand to "build upon it’s already impressive growth and achieve new goals.”

PJW declined to discuss details of the deal at this time.

PJW Restaurant Group, which operates 19 P.J. Whelihan's pubs in South Jersey and Pennsylvania, entered a partnership New York City-based investment firm Garnett Station Partners.
PJW Restaurant Group, which operates 19 P.J. Whelihan's pubs in South Jersey and Pennsylvania, entered a partnership New York City-based investment firm Garnett Station Partners.

Garnett Station's portfolio boasts equity partnerships with brands that include Burger King, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Kona Ice. The firm also has credit investments with the likes of Planet Fitness, P.F. Chang's and Miller's Ale House.

“We’re extremely excited to announce our investment in P.J. Whelihan’s, an iconic brand in one of America’s greatest sports markets,” Garnett Station Co-Founder and Managing Partner Matt Perelman said. “Over the last three years, we’ve worked closely with Bob (Platzer) and (PJW CEO) Jim (Fris) to thoughtfully develop a strategic growth plan to extend the P.J. Whelihan’s magic to additional communities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We are grateful to Bob and Jim for the opportunity to further invest in this incredible brand.”

According to Garnett Station, its investment includes all 26 PJW properties.

PJW has a strong presence in South Jersey, most notably in Haddon Township, where four of its concepts — P.J. Whelihan's, The Pour House, Treno Pizza Bar and Central Taco and Tequila — can be found along a short stretch of Haddon Avenue.

Haddon Township Mayor Randall Teague said patrons should not worry about the future of PJW properties here.

"My understanding is that there will be no impact or changes to the restaurants in Haddon Township," Teague added.

PJW also operates P.J. Whelihan's pubs in Cherry Hill, Maple Shade, Medford Lakes and Washington Township, and The ChopHouse, a steakhouse, in Gibbsboro.

Pennsylvania is currently home to 14 P.J. Whelihan's locations, with a new pub planned for Marple Township, Delaware County, in fall 2022.

PJW has not announced any new ventures in New Jersey

A South Jersey native, Anthony Coppola has handled a variety of beats at The Daily Journal, Courier-Post and Burlington County Times, including award-winning work in sports and business coverage. Coppola, who joined the staff in 2008, now focuses on regional education reporting. Please consider supporting local journalism with a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: P.J. Whelihan's parent company partners with NYC investment firm