10 Win Prestigious Franchise Times Dealmakers Awards

by Beth Ewen, originally published on FranchiseTimes.com on February 9, 2023

Franchise Times today announces winners of the 2023 Franchise Times Dealmakers awards, the 11th annual project recognizing the boldest players driving mergers and acquisitions in franchising.

Award winners will be featured in the May issue of Franchise Times, when the 2023 Deal of the Year will also be revealed. A virtual awards presentation will highlight Franchise Times Dealmakers Week April 24-27, a series of webinars featuring top dealmakers sharing their growth strategies.

DEALMAKERS OF THE YEAR 2023 (in alphabetical order)

ADT Taco enters Taco Bell system via 16-unit purchase from Helm Restaurants, advised by Unbridled Capital.

Ampex Brands buys Bellagreen Holdings following Au Bon Pain purchase a year earlier.

Boxwood Partners advises Junk King on sale to Neighborly, plus represents sellers on more deals totaling $3.6B.

Dine Brands Global buys Fuzzy's Taco Shop for $80 million, its first acquisition since Applebee's in 2007.

Empower Brands forms as new umbrella company for Lynx Franchising and Outdoor Living Brands to integrate recently acquired business lines.

Gala Capital Partners buys Rusty Taco from Inspire Brands and Dunn Brothers Coffee from management in two separate deals.

Hissho Sushi attracts Brentwood Associates and Continental Grain as new investors.

Ohm Fitness attracts European Wax Center co-founder Josh Coba as minority investor, plus signs large area developers.

Stratus Building Solutions completes first U.S. transaction with Diversified Royalty Corp. in which seller retains 100 percent equity and buyer gets 2.5 percent royalty on existing units.

Swig attracts The Larry H. Miller Co. (former owner of the NBA Jazz) as majority owner, retaining Savory Fund and founder Nicole Tanner as minority investors and operating partner.