Customers are gaga for Wawa, the restaurant / convenience store / gas station that inspires people to tattoo the firm's logo. Founded in 1803, Wawa morphed over time from an iron foundry to a textile mill, to a dairy farm, dairy delivery business, grocery store, then convenience store. Dark clouds descended with the 2008 financial crisis.

Four years after acquiring the business, 3G Capital had managed to put Burger King back in growth mode. However, the Burger King brand itself was still lacking momentum and it was unclear if its celebrity-heavy ad campaign would work.

Mekong Capital, a private equity firm based in Vietnam, is considering exiting its stake in restaurant chain operator Golden Gate. Despite robust growth, Golden Gate’s profitability is lagging. Students are asked to evaluate the best means of exit and whether operational improvements are required to attract buyers or create the foundation for a successful IPO.

The Kam family has owned Yung Kee, a huge 750-seat restaurant in Hong Kong, for more than 50 years. Starting out as a food stall, the business still 'packs them in' today.

The Benihana chain included 60 restaurants in 1966, mostly in the United States with sales over $75M. Its founder, Rocky Aoki, started 32 years earlier the first Benihana of Tokyo in New York. The case shows the main elements of his breakthrough service in the 70s. But this formula was not easily transferred to UK and the three London restaurants are not making money.