Rubio's Closes Going Private Transaction With Mill Road Capital

CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 24, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rubio's Restaurants, Inc. (Nasdaq:RUBO) today announced the closing of its merger with a subsidiary of Mill Road Capital, L.P. to take the company private. Rubio's former stockholders are receiving $8.70 per share in cash in the transaction. The transaction is the result of a comprehensive strategic alternatives review process under the supervision of a Special Committee of the Board of Rubio's.

Rubio's headquarters will remain in Carlsbad under the leadership of its existing management team. No significant changes in strategic direction or operations are expected as a result of the transaction. Ralph Rubio, the founder of Rubio's, retains an ownership position in the newly private company and will continue his role as a member of the Board of Directors.

"This is a milestone for Rubio's," said Ralph Rubio. "I was excited to open the first Rubio's in 1983 after traveling to Mexico and camping, surfing and grilling on the beach. Going public in 1999 provided us with the resources to quickly expand. Returning to private ownership will afford us the independence and flexibility to continue to build our unique brand. Rubio's will continue to offer our guests the freshest, most delicious Beach Mex cuisine."

"Today, I'm excited as I've ever been about the future of Rubio's," Mr. Rubio continued. "We truly believe there is no other brand like Rubio's, and we have the potential and desire to keep growing our business."

"We are delighted to back Ralph Rubio, Dan Pittard and the entire management team," said Scott Scharfman, Managing Director at Mill Road. "We first began analyzing Rubio's over four years ago and eventually built a significant public ownership position in the company. Taking Rubio's private represents the ultimate expression of our confidence in the company's management and its future."

"Mill Road has extensive knowledge of the fast casual sector, which remains the best performing sector in the restaurant industry," said Dan Pittard, Rubio's President and CEO. "Their investment in Rubio's is a strong endorsement of our winning strategy within this sector. I'm excited about the opportunity to partner with Mill Road and see Rubio's prosper as a private company."

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