Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. produces low-carbohydrate packaged foods. It is owned by Roark Capital Group

Roark Capital Group

Roark Capital Group is a private equity firm focused on leveraged buyout investments in middle-market companies primarily in consumer and business services companies. Roark has historically focused on the franchise, food and restaurant, specialty retail, environmental services, waste management,...

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History

The company was started in 1989 by Dr. Robert Atkins

Robert Atkins (nutritionist)

Robert Coleman Atkins, MD was an American physician and cardiologist, best known for the Atkins Nutritional Approach , a popular but controversial way of dieting that entails close control of carbohydrate consumption, emphasizing protein and fat intake, including saturated fat in addition to...

, the founder of the Atkins Diet

Atkins Nutritional Approach

The Atkins diet, officially called the Atkins Nutritional Approach, is a low-carbohydrate diet created by Robert Atkins from a research paper he read in the Journal of the American Medical Association published by Gordon Azar and Walter Lyons Bloom. Atkins stated that he used the study to resolve...

. Following the death of its founder, a sale to Parthenon Capital and Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is an American multinational bulge bracket investment banking and securities firm that engages in global investment banking, securities, investment management, and other financial services primarily with institutional clients...

, and a reduction in demand for Atkins products, Atkins Nutritionals filed for bankruptcy. The company emerged from bankruptcy on January 10, 2006 owned by North Castle Partners, with a softened marketing emphasis on the low-carbohydrate aspect of its products and an attempt to emphasize the overall nutritional value of its line of foods. It now has in place a business strategy concentrating on sales of prepared nutrition bars and shakes.

Roark Capital Group

Roark Capital Group

Roark Capital Group is a private equity firm focused on leveraged buyout investments in middle-market companies primarily in consumer and business services companies. Roark has historically focused on the franchise, food and restaurant, specialty retail, environmental services, waste management,...

bought the company in 2010.

Low-carb products

Although the marketing focus has changed, the products are still low-carb. It is also stated on the packages the stage of the Atkins Nutritional Approach where they may be used. The products include snack bars, breakfast bars, shakes, and candy.