Emergent Growth Advisors

Strategic Advisory Focus

Private Capital Successful franchise investing requires deep sector knowledge and the right approach.

Include our perspective in your origination, due diligence, value creation planning, and performance improvement efforts. Learn More
Emergent Brands Thousands of emerging franchises never emerge!

Work with us to avoid expensive mistakes and build your business for maximum exit value, long-term sustainability, and franchisee satisfaction. Learn More
Re-Emergent Brands 42% of active franchises are stalled out or shrinking. And 45% of all brands stop franchising altogether.

Work with us to re-energize your franchise with targeted intervention focused on rebuilding enterprise value and franchisee satisfaction. Get growing again. Learn More

Private Capital in Franchising is Dynamic

Maximum Value Creation Requires the Right Strategy

brands have had private equity investment at the franchisor, franchisee level, or both.*

This represents only 18.75% of active brands. The majority of franchises will never attract private capital interest or command an attractive valuation without a change in approach.
* Source: Emergent Growth Advisors proprietary research

private capital firms have already invested in franchising.*

While impressive, this also means 93% of PE firms have yet to discover franchising. There will be more entrants, but existing investors with franchise knowledge have a significant advantage.
* Source: Emergent Growth Advisors proprietary research

PE (US) dry powder still available to invest.**

We've barely scratched the surface of total available funds. But PE dealmakers are also selective. According to a recent survey, only 4% of initial PE discussions lead to an LOI.
** Source: EY

Meet the founder

Alicia Miller is the Founder and Managing Director of Emergent Growth Advisors, a boutique strategic advisory firm working at the intersection of franchising and private equity. She supports founders and franchise management teams facing growth, disruption, or transformation challenges, and helps them accelerate their businesses. She also advises private capital firms pre- and post-transaction on strategy and value creation initiatives and co-invests alongside her partners. As a former multi-unit franchisee, she brings a franchisee’s perspective and operating experience into every engagement.

Ms. Miller is a recognized thought-leader in franchising. She is a monthly columnist for Franchise Times and has also been published in Entrepreneur and Forbes. Together she has published more than 100 articles about franchising and private equity. Her book Big Money in Franchising: Scaling Your Enterprise in the Era of Private Equity (Figure 1 Publishing, 2024) is the first detailed examination of PE's impact on franchise stakeholders.

She currently serves as an independent director for Elevated Ventures Group, a private equity backed multi-unit franchisee of Urban Air Adventure Parks. She also serves as an advisor to the International Franchise Association’s certification program (CFE), promoting franchising best practices and regulatory compliance.

Ms. Miller earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Science (MS) from the University of Maryland, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Smith College. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Franchise Management from Georgetown University as well as a Graduate Certificate in Administration & Management from Harvard University. She is a Certified Merger & Acquisition Advisor™ (CM&AA), a Certified Franchise Executive™ (CFE), and is Directorship Certified™ by the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD.CD).

Recently Published

08 Aug 2025 Proliferation of Franchise Incubator Hybrid Investor-Operators

Incubators & multi-brand platforms play an increasingly critical role in franchising to lift emerging brands. In this case... even launching brands into franchising, such as this latest example with Gregorys Coffee & Craveworthy Brands. For ambitious sponsor-operator-hybrid firms the field remains wide open, since there are far more sub-scale franchise brands than there are investors willing and able to assist. This takes grit, proven support systems, and strong sector experience as is the case here with Craveworthy. Several new incubators have been recently announced in fitness, home services, and other sectors. We will continue to see more incubator-style operating groups in franchising attempting to acquire and lift young brands. Good news for their brand partners, but yet another headwind facing unaffiliated emerging brands.

28 Jul 2025 Shipley Do-Nuts Trades Between PE Firms

Beginning of the next growth phase for this beloved Texas brand! A successful exit of Shipley Do-Nuts by Peak Rock Capital and the latest to join the experienced franchise investing team at Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, LLC.

14 Jul 2025 Search Fund Acquisition Entrepreneurs & Franchising

Disillusioned by corporate life, more people see acquisition entrepreneurship as a better path - so they set out to find a business to buy. There are MANY such opportunities within franchising, including both smaller franchisors that need help, and multi-unit franchised units that can be the beginning of a consolidation play. If well established and proven, franchise systems can provide the guidance and support for these first-time business owners, though they are taking on an existing business. If those acquisitions are well run, there are larger upstream buyers when it's time to sell.

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