Jumper claimed.

Los Angeles-based private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners LP has acquired a majority stake in CWN Management Inc., which operates the Claim Jumper restaurant chain, for over $200 million.

Craig Nickoloff, president of CWN, told The Deal, which first reported the acquisition, that Leonard Green will give the family restaurant chain the financial flexibility to grow beyond its base in Western states.

CWN has been searching for a buyer for at least several months. Piper Jaffray & Co. conducted the auction for the Irvine-based company, which attracted the interest of many private equity firms.

There are 34 Claim Jumpers in California, Colorado, Washington, Nevada and Arizona. CWN also licenses the Claim Jumper name to frozen food manufacturer American Pie LLC.

Privately held CWN generated an estimated $200 million in revenues in 2003, up 8.1 percent from the prior year. In 2003, the company had 5,000 employees.

Leonard Green targets investments of between $50 million and $250 million. The firm's portfolio includes Los Angeles-based Asian language media company,, AsianMedia Group LLC, Downers Grover, Ill.-based Internet florist FTD Group Inc., Phoenix, Ariz.-based pool supplies retailer Leslie's Poolmart Inc., and Camp Hill, Penn.-based drugstore chain Rite Aid Corp.

Staff reporter Rachel Brown can be reached by phone at [phone], ext. 224, or by email at [e-mail].