Building on its K-12 education expertise, Avathon partners with founder-owned platform connecting schools nationwide with local restaurants
CHICAGO – September 8, 2026 – Avathon Capital (“Avathon”), a private equity firm specialized in investing in lower middle-market companies in the education and workforce markets, announced its partnership with My Hot Lunchbox (“MHL”), a technology-enabled platform that helps schools offer fully outsourced lunch programs through local restaurant partners. The investment marks Avathon’s 17th platform investment and continues the firm’s focus on founder-owned businesses serving the education market.
Founded by Jen Serino, My Hot Lunchbox grew from a solution to a personal problem into a national platform. Today it serves hundreds of schools across dozens of states, coordinating a network of more than 1,400 restaurant partners. The model requires no kitchen buildout, foodservice labor, or program cost from schools, while giving parents advance ordering flexibility and choice and students meals from restaurants they enjoy.
Duncan Young, an experienced education executive who has previously served as CEO of two K-12 businesses, joins My Hot Lunchbox as Chief Executive Officer. Serino will continue to support the business as a member of the Board that will be chaired by Scott Kirkpatrick who most recently was the CEO of BrainPop.
The addition of My Hot Lunchbox builds on Avathon’s track record in K-12 education, where the firm has partnered with founder-led businesses and helped them build the sales, marketing, and operating infrastructure to serve more schools and families and become more resilient and enduring companies.
We’re glad to welcome My Hot Lunchbox into the Avathon portfolio and look forward to what’s ahead.