Cotton Patch Cafe Joins Local Favorite Restaurants Portfolio

Mike Karns, founder of Local Favorite Restaurants, will retain his role as the group’s creative visionary, while Brandon Coleman III, the former CEO of Cotton Patch Cafe, steps in to lead the entire restaurant conglomerate. This transition brings together a diverse portfolio including El Fenix, Snuffer’s, and Twisted Root Burger Company, positioning the group as a dominant force in the Texas dining sector.

Cotton Patch enters this partnership with significant momentum, having reported six consecutive quarters of positive same-store sales growth. The brand recently secured multiple accolades, including Gold honors for Best Comfort Food and Best Chain Restaurant in The Dallas Morning News’ 2025 Readers' Choice Awards. Executives confirmed that the chain’s operational model, including its popular $9.99 Texas Value Meals, will remain unchanged as the brand integrates into the new group. The acquisition leverages the collective scale of the Dallas-based operator to push the brand into new regional markets, emphasizing a shared commitment to scratch-made quality and community-focused service.