AC Restaurants (Ashley Christensen Restaurants)

AC Restaurants (Ashley Christensen Restaurants) is a prominent food and beverage company based in Raleigh, NC, founded by award-winning chef Ashley Christensen in 2007. The company aims to foster positive change within the community by offering high-quality culinary experiences. AC Restaurants started with the launch of Poole's Diner, a contemporary eatery celebrating comfort food classics. Over the years, the company expanded to include 5 more establishments, garnering significant attention from renowned publications, such as Bon Appétit, Gourmet, and The New York Times.

In 2011, Ashley Christensen opened three new ventures in a corner building previously occupied by a Piggly Wiggly. These establishments showcase the diversity of Southern cuisine - Beasley’s Chicken + Honey pays homage to fried chicken and traditional Southern sides, Chuck’s offers updated renditions of burgers and frites, and Fox Liquor Bar features a diverse menu of over 50 craft cocktails, in addition to beer, wine, and bar snacks. The company's growth continued in 2015 with the launch of Death & Taxes, a restaurant acclaimed for its wood-fire cooking with Southern ingredients.

Ashley Christensen’s culinary prowess has been acknowledged with numerous accolades, including the James Beard Award for “Best Chef: Southeast” in 2014. Additionally, her restaurant Death & Taxes was a finalist for the James Beard Foundation's Best New Restaurant and earned recognition from Food & Wine as one of the Best Restaurants in 2016. With her appearances on Food Network’s Iron Chef America and MSNBC’s Your Business, Ashley has further solidified her presence in the culinary world.

AC Restaurants' success and endeavors position the company as a compelling prospect for investment in the food and beverage industry, especially with its focus on community enrichment and culinary innovation. The company's proven track record and recognition from industry authorities underscore the potential for a lucrative and impactful partnership for venture capital investors.