Turnaround/Restructuring, Acquisition and Board Services
Creating Immediate Improvement and Long-term Value
Historical engagements - but not all engagements
Little Ceasars
Partnered with a family office to acquire 15 units from a franchisee with another 18 units purchased in tranches from the Franchisor and 4 new locations. Relocated or remodeled every location and helped create the Hot-N-Ready program. Tripled AUVs over a 10+ year period and sold to a subsidiary of Valor Equity Partners producing a return of 39x over the initial cash investment.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Acquired the rights to develop stores in South Texas, New Mexico and Hawaii. Developed 41 locations over 10+ years including 2 of the chains’ top 3 stores out of 1,200 locations. Responsible for the introduction of the UFC brand to the restaurants greatly improving sales across all locations. After a very robust sale process, Buffalo Wild Wings Corp. opted to exercise its’ rights to acquire the locations for $160M (public information). The sale culminated in a cash-on-cash return of over 16x.
Don Pablo's / Hops
Acquired the brand and a handful of locations for the value of the liquor licenses. Closed locations and sold the licenses producing a cash-on-cash return of over 60x.
Zios Italian Kitchen
Purchased the brand and all locations using a sale/leaseback transaction as a carve-out from Mazzio’s Corp. Operated the brand and locations for over 10+ years until the final leases ended. Over the 10+ years the brand distributed cash to the owners producing a cash-on-cash return of over 167x.
Coco's & Carrow's
Acquired all 152 units and both brands from Zensho Corp, a 5,000 unit publicly held restaurant organization based in Japan. The transaction required a guarantee of no bankruptcy filings within 2 years of the acquisition. Closed 78 locations within the first 60 days working out the leases with every landlord. Implemented US restaurant best practices and sold the brands to a neighboring competitor after 3 years and produced a cash-on-cash return of over 300x.
Smashburger
Partnered with the PE firm creating the concept to be an initial investor in the franchisor and also one of 5 founding franchisees. Opened 5 locations in a year and a half in South Texas. Ultimately sold the equity and the units back to the Franchisor for a nominal amount over the cash investment.
Current Engagements
Romano's Macaroni Grill / TwistedMac
Partnered with a PE firm to acquire this carve-out post-pandemic as it continued to decline in revenues and locations. Identified growth assets and implemented an asset light model focusing on the strength of the brand. Improved the virtual brand TwistedMac by adding authentic subs and brick oven pizzas. Filed FDDs for both brands and started franchising in 2025 with Macaroni Grill’s first new location in 13+ years and TwistedMac’s first stand-alone locations opening by franchisees. Engaged a global licensing firm to seek out licensing opportunities including frozen products, sauces, meal kits and a wine club.
Sushi Zushi / Pokie Dokie
In 2023 took over management of the brand and took it through a bankruptcy to exit leases outside of it’s core market. Implemented Free Delivery at SushiZushi.com and improved margins greatly. Recently completed the FDD process and have started franchising with current negotiations including units in Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas, Florida and a master franchisee for Mexico. Created the POKIE DOKIE Hawaiian bowl menu for alternative customers.