Private Equity Firm Acquires Hot Dog On A Stick Chain

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Iconic fast food chain Hot Dog On A Stick won't be going into the fryer anytime soon.

Los Angeles-based private equity firm Levine Leichtman Capital Partners announced Thursday it had acquired the brand through the purchase of the company's operating assets.

Since its founding near the Santa Monica Pier in 1946, Hot Dog On A Stick has been serving its trademark its skewered hot dogs and lemonade and currently has 92 locations in the U.S. and other countries worldwide, according to company officials.

Hot Dog On A Stick filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February, citing declining foot traffic at its shopping mall locations and expensive leases negotiated during the real estate boom.

Served by employees in tall, brightly colored striped hats, the stand's menu also includes cheese on a stick, French fries, funnel cake sticks, Nathan's Famous beef hot dogs, and low-cal lemonade.

Founder Dave Barham opened his first shopping mall restaurant in 1973 in Salt Lake City using his mother's cornbread recipe to develop the corn dog. Barham died in 1991 and left the company to his employees.

(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)