The agreement to sell the 630-restaurant chain, which specializes in roasted chicken and potatoes, to private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners was expected. McDonald's acknowledged in January that it was studying its strategic options.
And though Boston Market is deemed only marginally profitable, it may bode well that Sun Capital Partners is an experienced buyer with other restaurant chains in its portfolio, including Bruegger's, Fazoli's, Souper!Salad! and Sweet Tomatoes.