
The PE Profit Ladder is at work at the top end of the market as well. Predictably, Subway is focused on recruiting experienced QSR MUOs to build out international markets to off set US closures. The international opportunity is indeed tremendous. Experienced turnaround CEO John Chidsey has made good progress so far on the plan. It is interesting that in recent interviews (e.g. Yahoo Finance) he mentioned how he appreciated having no debt when privately held...which allowed him to invest in the business and do some things needed to support the brand turnaround. That will certainly change under Roark, which is likely to put a massive amount of debt on the books and take a big cash distribution within 6 months of the acquisition. #peprofitladder

The more you can anticipate potential deal de-railers, the more likely you'll have a successful exit transaction worthy of your time, investment and effort. These derailers are, unfortunately, much more common than many business owners realize. Preparation is key!

It is usually a good sign when PE invests at the outlet level - because it signals unit level economics are attractive. But what happens when PE investors later become the majority of franchisees in a system? How do relationship dynamics change? Are franchisor management teams (even brands PE-backed themselves) prepared?

How has private equity changed due diligence for prospective franchisees? Listen to my interview with Franchise Times Editor-in-Chief Laura Michaels to kick off the FT Investment Show.

The market is tight for the best retail locations and construction costs are up. Real estate expert Jonathan Hill shares what growth-focused franchisors can do to keep franchise development on track.

How are you "showing up" mentally to the franchise search? Are you pressure testing your thinking and assumptions? You can adopt PE's mindset to make better decisions when investigating franchise concepts.

With the $30M sale of Smokey Bones to FAT Brands, Sun Capital Partners has exited franchising. Sun Capital acquired Smokey Bones for $80M in 2007 from Darden Restaurants, and used to be a prolific franchise and restaurant investor. It had notable successes, but also a string of restaurant bankruptcies on its watch.

One of the most compelling things about franchising is that lagging or failing brands CAN be reinvigorated. Franchising is incredibly resilient in that way.

Housing is coming back; franchise candidate interest remains steady. … Franchisees remain stressed about costs but the labor situation is improving.
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PE Profit Ladder® Market Watch Newsletter
PRIVATE EQUITY’S IMPACT ON FRANCHISING
EMERGING BRANDS
TRENDS
BUILDING SMART
PROSPECTIVE FRANCHISEES
TURNAROUNDS & CASE STUDIES