News

Eagle Merchant Partners Closes Fund I
Jul 24, 2023

ATLANTA, July 24, 2023 - Eagle Merchant Partners ("Eagle"), a private equity firm investing in lower middle-market franchise, consumer and industrial companies, today announced the closing of its inaugural fund, Eagle Merchant Partners I, L.P. The fund closed with over $265 million, well in excess of its initial target. Investors include U.S. and international institutions, endowments, foundations, wealth managers and family offices. Led by Stockton Croft and Bill Lundstrom, Eagle leadership has invested more than $1 billion of equity and is committed to growing founder-owned businesses in the Southeast with $2 million to $20 million of EBITDA.
Eagle Merchant Partners Makes Investment in Home Services Franchisee
May 09, 2023

ATLANTA, May 9, 2023 - Eagle Merchant Partners ("Eagle"), a leading lower middle market private equity firm, today announced its investment in Impact Home Services ("Impact"), an independent owner and operator of three franchises within Neighborly®, the world's largest home services company.
Eagle Merchant Partners Makes Investment in Furniture Medic and AmeriSpec
Apr 13, 2023

ATLANTA, April 13, 2023 -- Eagle Merchant Partners, a leading franchise, consumer, and industrial private equity firm, has acquired two service franchisors with strong executive teams and unique growth potential. Founded in 1992, Furniture Medic offers furniture, wood, and cabinet restoration, repair, fabrication and refinishing services in the disaster restoration, insurance claims, commercial and residential sectors. Founded in 1987, AmeriSpec is a residential and commercial property inspection company with a North American network of more than 400 highly-trained, experienced inspectors.
Eagle Merchant Partners Completes Acquisition of Eskola Roofing & Waterproofing
Oct 31, 2022

ATLANTA, Oct. 31, 2022 - Eagle Merchant Partners has invested in Eskola Roofing & Waterproofing, a commercial roofing contractor with locations in Tennessee and Kentucky. Founded in 1972 by their father and operated by brothers Jon Eskola and Ben Eskola, Eskola is a leading provider of commercial roofing and waterproofing services with a diversified customer base centered on education, infrastructure and healthcare.
Eagle Merchant Partners Invests in 19 Auto Collision Centers in Pacific Northwest
Sep 27, 2022

ATLANTA, Sept. 27, 2022 - Eagle Merchant Partners, an Atlanta, Ga.-based private equity firm focused on lower middle market businesses, has invested in Puget Collision, which has 19 collision repair shops operating in the CARSTAR and Fix Auto franchise systems. "I am proud and excited to have the support of Eagle, whose expertise, resources and access to capital will allow us to grow and lead the auto collision industry in the Pacific Northwest," said Puget Collision owner Joe Morella. "This transaction represents the culmination of our team's passionate and dedicated service to our customers and partners."
Eagle Merchant Partners Acquires Stake in Health and Safety Services Franchisor
Apr 18, 2022

Atlanta (April 18, 2022) — Eagle Merchant Partners (Eagle), an Atlanta-based private equity firm specializing in franchise, multi-unit consumer and industrial middle market opportunities, has made an investment in Enviro-Master Services. An award-winning franchisor of deep cleaning services, Enviro-Master serves tens of thousands of businesses across North America.
Eagle Merchant Partners Successfully Exits Premium Recreational Surfacing Company
Jan 18, 2022

ATLANTA, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Eagle Merchant Partners (Eagle), an Atlanta-based private equity firm specializing in consumer and industrial opportunities, announced today it has successfully exited its investment in RG with a sale to Sentinel Capital Partners. Headquartered in Dalton, Georgia, RG designs, manufactures and installs premium recreational surfacing products...
Atlanta: - Eagle Merchant Partners Successfully Exits Caliber Car Wash to Percheron Capital
Jan 18, 2022

New Partnership will Continue to Support Caliber’s Rapid Expansion as Consumer Demand for Express Car Wash Services Continues to Grow ATLANTA and SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Eagle Merchant Partners (“Eagle”), an Atlanta-based private equity firm specializing in consumer and industrial opportunities, announced today it has successfully exited...
Eagle Merchant Partners Named to Inc.’s List of Best Private Equity Firms for Entrepreneurs and Founders
Oct 15, 2021

ATLANTA, Oct. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Eagle Merchant Partners (Eagle), an Atlanta-based private equity firm specializing in consumer, franchise and industrial opportunities, has been named one of the best private equity firms for entrepreneurs and founders by Inc. Magazine. The Inc. Founder-Friendly list honors the most founder-friendly private equity firms that have a successful track
Eagle Merchant Partners Completes Acquisition of Code Ninjas, Largest Coding Franchise System for Kids
Oct 15, 2021

ATLANTA, Sept. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Atlanta-based private equity firm Eagle Merchant Partners (Eagle) today announced its second investment in Code Ninjas, the world’s largest coding franchise system for children. The announcement follows a minority investment made last year and completes Eagle’s acquisition of the fast growing company. Code Ninjas...
The Recreational Group Acquires Engineered Turf, A Leader in Synthetic Turf Manufacturing
Aug 14, 2021

Dalton, Ga. (Aug. 14, 2020) — The Recreational Group, a portfolio company of Eagle Merchant Partners and a leading provider of residential and commercial surfacing products, has acquired Engineered Turf Inc., a fast-growing, customer-centric manufacturer of synthetic grass used in commercial and residential landscape, sport and putting green applications.
Eagle Merchant Partners Invests in Caliber Car Wash
Jan 12, 2021

Multi-unit express car wash company set to double number of locations this year Atlanta (Jan. 12, 2021) — Eagle Merchant Partners (Eagle), a leading Atlanta-based private equity firm, today announced its investment in Caliber Car Wash. Founded in 2019 by Danny York and Mac McCall, Caliber Car Wash...
The Recreational Group Acquires Engineered Turf, A Leader in Synthetic Turf Manufacturing
Aug 14, 2020

Dalton, Ga. (Aug. 14, 2020) — The Recreational Group, a portfolio company of Eagle Merchant Partners and a leading provider of residential and commercial surfacing products, has acquired Engineered Turf Inc., a fast-growing, customer-centric manufacturer of synthetic grass used in commercial and residential landscape, sport and putting green applications.
Eagle Merchant Partners Steps Into Code Ninjas
Jun 30, 2020

Eagle Merchant Partners is taking a stairstep approach to investing in Code Ninjas, its entry into the kids’ education space. Poised to take a majority stake earlier this year, the private equity firm switched to a minority investment. “When COVID hit, we said a full majority investment would be tough...
EMP Makes Investment in Kids Coding Franchisor Code Ninjas
Jun 22, 2020

ATLANTA, June 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Eagle Merchant Partners (EMP), an Atlanta-based private equity firm specializing in consumer, franchise and industrial opportunities, has acquired an equity stake in Code Ninjas, the world’s largest and fastest-growing coding franchise system for kids. The investment comes fresh off the heels of the firm’s successful exit...
Franchise M&A Tips From FT Dealmakers Winners
Feb 26, 2020

Everybody wants a piece of the franchise M&A pie. Our interviews with 20-plus family offices, multi-unit operators, private equity firms, franchisors and investment bankers featured in our upcoming Franchise Times Dealmakers cover story reveal how 12 award winners landed their deals. Here’s a preview of five franchise M&A best practices...
Eagle Merchant Partners and JLM Financial Partners Sell United PF Partners to American Securities
Dec 30, 2019

Largest, Fastest-Growing Area Developer Within the Planet Fitness System Acquired by New York Private Equity Firm Atlanta, GA (Dec. 30, 2019) — American Securities, a leading U.S. private equity firm, has acquired United PF Partners (“United PF”), the largest and fastest-growing area developer within the Planet Fitness system, from Eagle...
The Recreational Group Acquires Swisstrax, Leading Garage and Event Tile Flooring Provider
Dec 17, 2019

DALTON, Ga (Dec. 17, 2019) — The Recreational Group, a leading provider of residential and commercial surfacing products, has acquired Swisstrax, the preeminent purveyor of plastic modular tiles used as floor covering in garages, hangars and event spaces. CEO Randy Nelson started Swisstrax more than 20 years ago, directing the development of the revolutionary...
Eagle Merchant Partners Sells Chicken Salad Chick to Brentwood Associates
Nov 04, 2019

LOS ANGELES, (Nov. 4, 2019) — Brentwood Associates (“Brentwood”), a consumer-focused private equity firm, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority interest in SSRG Holdings, LLC (“Chicken Salad Chick” or the “Company”) from Eagle Merchant Partners. Chicken Salad Chick has 137 locations throughout 16 states...
United PF Partners acquires 26 Planet Fitness clubs from PF Arkansas
Jun 18, 2019

United PF Partners, an Austin, Texas-based Planet Fitness (NYSE:PLNT) franchisee, has acquired 26 Planet Fitness clubs in the Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Mississippi and Illinois markets from PF Arkansas, LLC. Financial details were not disclosed. The deal increases United PF Partners’ club count to 152 clubs across 14 states. Financing for...
Chicken Salad Chick Buys 11 Units from a Franchisee
Dec 21, 2018

The chicken salad chain now operates 32 of its 105 locations, with significant growth planned for 2019 Auburn, AL (December 21, 2018) — Chicken Salad Chick this week said that it purchased 11 locations in Georgia from the brand’s largest franchise operator, Origin Development Group. Terms of the deal were...
United PF Partners Acquires Arizona Planet Fitness Club Group
Sep 05, 2018

Largest Planet Fitness Franchisee Accelerates Growth AUSTIN, Texas (Sept. 5, 2018) – United PF Partners (United PF), the largest Planet Fitness (NYSE: PLNT) franchisee, has acquired 19 Planet Fitness locations in the Phoenix market from JEG-FIT, increasing its operating club count to 108 clubs across 10 states. United PF was formed by...
Eagle Merchant Partners and JLM invest in Recreational Group
Aug 20, 2018

Dalton, GA (August 20, 2018) – Eagle Merchant Partners and JLM Financial Partners have closed their investment in the Recreational Group, a leading provider of residential and commercial recreational surfacing products across the country. The move capitalises on the rapidly-growing artificial turf and sports surfacing industry, with products used across...
United PF Partners Announces New Chief Operating Officer
Oct 25, 2017

Highly Respected Leader Joins Fast Growing Top Planet Fitness Franchisee Austin, TX (October 25, 2017) – United PF Partners (United PF), the largest Planet Fitness (NYSE: PLNT) franchisee with 78 operating clubs, announced today the addition of Shelli Taylor as Chief Operating Officer and part of the company’s executive leadership...
United PF Partners Acquires Two Additional Planet Fitness Club Groups
Oct 23, 2017

Largest Franchisee Accelerates Growth Austin, TX (October 23, 2017) – United PF Partners (United PF), the largest Planet Fitness (NYSE: PLNT) franchisee, completed two add-on acquisitions of Planet Fitness franchisees in the Phoenix and New Orleans markets, increasing its operating club count by 11 clubs to 78 across 10 states...
Eagle Merchant Partners and JLM Financial Partners ink United Planet Fitness JV
Nov 14, 2016

Add “Austin, TX (November 14, 2016) – Eagle Merchant Partners, a private equity firm, and JLM Financial Partners, an Austin, Texas-based investment firm, have formed United PF Partners, an Austin-based Planet Fitness franchisee joint venture. No financial terms were revealed. The joint venture will have 59 operating clubs in nine...
Chicken Salad Chick Receives Investment from Eagle Merchant Partners
May 04, 2015

Southern fast-casual restaurant concept readies for growth Auburn, AL (May 4, 2015) — Chicken Salad Chick, one of Nation’s Restaurant News 2015 Breakout Brands, recently announced that it has received an investment from Eagle Merchant Partners (Eagle), an Atlanta, Ga.-based private equity firm. This partnership brings a depth of restaurant...
Eagle Merchant Partners Acquires Second Largest Dairy Queen Franchisee in the U.S.
May 16, 2013

Atlanta (December 16, 2013) — Eagle Merchant Partners (EMP), an Atlanta, Ga.-based private equity firm focused on middle-market buyouts in the Southeastern United States, has acquired Vasari LLC, the second largest franchisee in the Dairy Queen system and the largest franchisee in Texas. The Dec. 5, 2013 deal is for