PE Profit Ladder Articles
Q3 Dealmaking Volume Picks Up
As discussed this week at Franchise Springboard, we are seeing the same Q3 dealmaking uptick in the franchise sector. Expectations are for a busy rest of this year for M&A teams. For founders looking to get something done in 2026, don't exit this year without a plan! What pre-work needs to get done now? What are key initiatives to achieve your objectives in 2026? What documentation needs to be gathered and prepared as part of your year-end wrap up? Get your advisors involved to help you get organized and build the right plan. Reach out if you need assistance and/or referrals.
How to Handle Today's Common Franchise Development Challenges
Common challenges seen in franchise development today, and how to turn growth back on.
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.
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.
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.
Should You Start with a Franchise?
On this episode of Start. Scale. Exit. Repeat., we sit down with Alicia Miller, author of the award-winning book Big Money in Franchising, to explore why franchising is one of the most accessible—and misunderstood—paths to entrepreneurship. Miller explains that franchising gives aspiring business owners a unique opportunity: the ability to run and grow a business using a proven system. Instead of building every process from the ground up, franchisees follow an existing model that provides training, support, and brand recognition. This makes it an appealing option for those who want to become entrepreneurs without starting from scratch. But, as Miller emphasizes, not all franchises are created equal. With over 400 new brands launching every year—and many fading just as quickly—due diligence is everything. She walks us through the importance of evaluating your own skills and lifestyle goals before choosing a concept, and explains why buying an existing franchise resale can sometimes be a smarter bet than launching a new unit. We also discuss private equity’s growing interest in franchise brands and how that can impact both franchisees and franchisors. If you’re thinking about starting a business—or wondering whether franchising is a shortcut to ownership—this episode is packed with perspective, strategy, and cautionary tales.
Modrn Business Podcast: 2025 FRANdata
The franchise ownership model is evolving. On a recent episode of the Modrn Business podcast, hosted by Zack Fishman, CFE joined by guests Edith Wiseman and Alicia Miller, NACD.DC, CMAA, CFE dives into the trends that are redefining franchise growth, funding, and private equity interest—with expert insights on: - Why today’s franchisees are entering with a 5–10 year exit mindset How franchisors must rethink support and scalability to stay investable - The growing impact of credit risk scores like FUND on brand performance - What private equity and lenders are now both demanding from franchisors - Why resale activity is rising—and what it signals about system health
Market Uncertainty Increases Focus on Growing with Experienced Franchisees
Current market headwinds are prompting more franchise systems to proactively reach out to existing franchisees in other concepts to keep the growth flywheel spinning.
Why A Franchise’s Reputation in the Lending Community Is a Signal to Private Equity
Consider lender feedback a harbinger of PE feedback. If you can’t convince lenders to underwrite franchisee growth, you’re unlikely to convince PE buyers that you're a must-have asset. Do you know what your FRANdata FUND score is?
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PRIVATE EQUITY’S IMPACT ON FRANCHISING
EMERGING BRANDS
TRENDS
BUILDING SMART
PROSPECTIVE FRANCHISEES
TURNAROUNDS & CASE STUDIES