It was sinister. Bain, KKR, and Vornado borrowed money to "buy" the company then saddled the debt with the purchased company. So in a way, they did force them.

It was sinister. Bain, KKR, and Vornado borrowed money to "buy" the company then saddled the debt with the purchased company. So in a way, they did force them. The shareholders and board members prior to the buyout made out like bandits, which is all they wanted. Toys R Us couldn't keep up with the interest payments on loans from Bain and KKR. Not to mention "advisory fees" and whatever bullshit they charged Toys R Us with. That's what put them under. Not lagging sales. Not bad business. Being "bought" by sinister people.