Lower middle market private equity firm
SBJ Capital
- HeadquartersWalnut Creek, CA S1
- Founded1999 S1
- Websitesbjcap.com
- Last verifiedOctober 19, 2026
At a glance
| Assets under management | $700M (as of December 2025) S4 |
|---|---|
| EBITDA range | $2M to $15M S1 |
| Revenue range | $10M to $100M S1 |
| Check size | $5M to $75M S1 |
| Deal types | Platform, Growth, Minority S1 |
| Geography | United States S1 |
| Sectors | Consumer & Food, Education, Healthcare Services |
What SBJ Capital buys
SBJ Capital is a lower middle market investor based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with offices in Walnut Creek, San Diego, Minneapolis and Chicago. It backs founder and family-owned companies in consumer and services industries: food and beverage brands, restaurants, consumer products, franchised consumer services, education, and commercial and residential services. Its current holdings include a Planet Fitness franchisee, a Supercuts franchisee, a garage door repair franchisee, a Montessori school group and a specialty tea maker.
It invests from two separate pools. The buyout strategy takes control of companies with roughly $15 million to $100 million or more of revenue and $4 million to $15 million or more of EBITDA. SBJ Elevation, announced in October 2025, provides mezzanine debt and equity for growth or recapitalizations of US companies with about $10 million to $100 million of revenue and roughly $2 million to $10 million of EBITDA. A founder who wants growth money without giving up control would talk to Elevation; one ready to sell a majority would talk to the buyout team.
Recent deals
Announced in the 24 months before October 19, 2026.
| Date | Company | Type | Sector | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | 3B InternationalNew Jersey developer of licensed, control label and private label fragrances and home scents, built by its co-founders over three decades | Platform | Consumer & Food | Source |
| Dec 2024 | Simon PearceUndisclosed stake in the handmade glass and pottery maker founded by artisan Simon Pearce | Investment | Consumer & Food | Source |
Portfolio by sector
From the firm's portfolio page S1.
Business Services
- Apple Montessori Schools
- Resolvion
- Sydnic
Consumer
- 3B International
- Core Development and Management
- Moxie Management Group
- Rack & Riddle
- Rishi Tea & Botanicals
- Simon Pearce
- Swensons Drive-In Restaurants
Healthcare
- Sight360
Industrial & Manufacturing
- Armor Express
Greymont’s take
How SBJ Capital fits a seller
SBJ fits founders of branded consumer businesses and multi-unit service companies, including franchisees, who want a partner with restaurant, fitness and franchise experience. Its two most recent deals were with founder-built companies: Simon Pearce, the glass and pottery maker started by its namesake more than 50 years ago, in December 2024, and 3B International, a fragrance business its co-founders grew over three decades, in May 2026.
The two strategies give an owner a real choice. A majority sale goes to the buyout fund, while SBJ Elevation can provide debt and equity to an owner who wants to keep control. Owners should ask which pool the money would come from, since part of an Elevation deal is debt the company must repay, and how long SBJ usually holds a business; two of its current holdings date back to 2015 and 2016.
Questions owners ask
What size company does SBJ Capital buy?
Its buyout strategy looks for companies with about $15 million to $100 million or more of revenue and $4 million to $15 million or more of EBITDA, and it takes control positions.
Can SBJ Capital invest without buying control?
Yes. SBJ Elevation, announced in October 2025, provides mezzanine debt and equity for growth capital and minority recapitalizations of founder-owned US companies with roughly $10 million to $100 million of revenue.
Which industries does SBJ Capital focus on?
Consumer and business services. Its buyout list covers food and beverage, foodservice, consumer products and experiences, contract manufacturing, education and training, and commercial and residential services, and several of its holdings are multi-unit franchisees.
Sources
- S1SBJ Capital home page (approach, capital solutions, partner companies, locations) Accessed October 19, 2026
- S2SBJ Capital Announces SBJ Elevation (October 21, 2025) Accessed October 19, 2026
- S33B International Announces Strategic Partnership with SBJ Capital (May 13, 2026) Accessed October 19, 2026
- S4Abacus Finance Group Provides Senior Debt Financing to Support SBJ Capital's Investment in 3B International (June 4, 2026) Accessed October 19, 2026
- S5SBJ Capital acquires stake in Simon Pearce (posted December 5, 2024) Accessed October 19, 2026
Compiled by Greymont Advisors from public sources, including the firm’s own website and press releases. Greymont is not affiliated with SBJ Capital. Figures are as reported on the dates shown and may have changed. Request a correction