Roark Capital Group bolstered its Canadian Pet Valu portfolio company this week when it added Bosley’s Pet Food Plus, a specialty retailer of pet foods and supplies.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Roark initially invested in Pet Valu for about $123 million in 2009.

"We think there are attractive growth opportunities," said Ezra Field, managing director with Roark. "We are always looking at horizontal and vertical expansion."

The pet space has been surprisingly resilient during the recession, market professionals stated, because it is not exposed to cyclical economic issues like other industries.

Harry Schein Inc., the listed, New York-based maker of healthcare products, acquired the majority stake in Butler Animal Health Supply from PE owners Oak Hill Capital Partners and the Ashkin Family Group in late 2009. Also, around that time, Kinderhook Industries acquired Washington-based International Absorbents, a maker of pet care and cleanup products.

The Atlanta-based PE firm wrapped its second deal in as many weeks with the Bosley’s buy; earlier, Roark Capital also closed a deal to acquire Texas-based people-food asset Wingstop, a chicken wing chain. The private equity firm tends to focus deals on franchise businesses.

In March, Roark Capital and Entrepreneur Partners acquired Peachtree Business Products, a marketer of specialty business products to medical professionals.

Other retail sector investments by Roark include Carvel, Cinnabon and Moe’s Southwest Grill.