Dan Sholem joins The Peakstone Group as Managing Director

October, 2016. Dan Sholem is a Managing Director at Peakstone Group where he is responsible for transaction origination and execution. Dan brings over 20 years of experience in corporate finance, primarily focused on advising clients on debt and equity financing to fund a variety of equipment transactions. Dan’s client advisory industry experience includes aviation, construction, commercial lending, electronics manufacturing, medical device and technology services.

Prior to forming his own advisory practice, Dan worked for Comdisco Electronics Group in San Jose, California where his team managed a $2 billion portfolio of equipment leased to global semiconductor manufacturers. He has also worked in the aircraft finance industry where he remarketed commercial and corporate aircraft.

Dan is a First Tee volunteer and former board member at the Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club in Champaign, Illinois and serves on the University of Illinois Willard Airport (CMI) Advisory Board.

Dan also serves as an Adjunct Lecturer in the Finance Department of the College of Business at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) where he teaches Growth Corp Capital Funding.

Dan earned a B.A. from Southern Methodist University and a MBA from Saint Louis University.

About Peakstone
The Peakstone Group is a leading investment bank that specializes in mergers and acquisitions advisory and capital raising for middle market clients. Our team is comprised of senior investment banking professionals who have decades of experience and have executed hundreds of transactions totaling billions of dollars. For additional information, visit www.peakstone.com or contact Carolyn Henson, chenson@peakstone.com or 312-204-7300.

Peakstone Closes 25 Deals in 25 Months

In the last 25 months, Peakstone has closed the following 25 transactions. In each case, we solved a unique capital need for a business owner.  We welcome discussions with business owners interested in liquidity, growth capital, or other needs.

#25: Sale of Brett Equipment (distributor of trailer parts and hitches) to SOGID

#24: Sale of UPF Services (technology solutions to real estate space) to Chronos Solutions

#23: Strategic partnership with a leading service provider for vehicle service contracts

#22: Majority Sale of Pepperjax (fast casual restaurant) to TA Associates

#21: Sale of H A Advantage (transportation management technology solutions) to AFN

#20: Bison Group acquisition of CYLX (engineering services)

#19: Majority Sale of Clearbrook Farms (natural jams and jellies) to Glencoe Capital

#18: Sale of certain Glen Oak assets (lumber and milling) to Custom Floor Finishing

#17: Sale of Petstages (dog and cat products) to Outward Hound (Riverside Company)

#16: ABCOMRENTS acquisition of Rent Fusion (event technology solutions)

#15: Simply Color acquisition of ShootQ (SaaS management system for photographers)

#14: Sale of Clarke Group (engineering services) to Red Oak Growth Partners

#13: Sale of Anderson Machining (precision CNC contract manufacturing) to Basin Holdings

#12: Sale of Technomic (information services to food industry) to Winsight

#11: Sale of certain Glen Oak assets (lumber and milling) to Menzner Lumber & Supply

#10: Sale of Hazen Final Mile (white glove delivery business) to TransForce

#9: Sale of RealTruck.com (internet retailer of truck accessories) to THI (TA company)

#8: Sale of eComfort.com (internet retailer of HVAC products) to PED (Ferguson division)

#7: Recapitalization of Precision Spine (implants provider for spinal surgery) with MC Credit

#6: Outward Hound’s acquisition of Bionic Pet Products (maker of dog toys)

#5: Recapitalization of Ashford.com (internet retailer of watches/jewelry) with Prudential

#4: Sale of Oak Group (vehicle service contracts) to Total Warranty Services

#3: Sale of Food Evolution (upscale foodservice products) to Akoya and Balance Point

#2: Sale of Allstate (insulation and HVAC) to Distribution International (Audax company)

#1: Sale of Duro Bag (manufacturer of paper bags) to Hilex Poly (Wind Point company)

About Peakstone

Peakstone is an investment bank that specializes in mergers and acquisitions advisory and capital raising for middle market clients.  The Peakstone team is comprised of senior investment banking professionals who have decades of experience and have executed hundreds of transactions totaling billions of dollars.

Industry Update: Food & Beverage M&A Update – October, 2016

October, 2016.

For year-to-date 2016, total announced transactions of 281 deals are on pace with 2015 record levels. There were 351 transactions during 2015.

For announced transactions, Food and Beverage (“F&B”) multiples saw a modest decrease from 13.4x Enterprise Value to EBITDA to 12.1x.

Many F&B categories continue to outperform the S&P 500.

Notable publicly announced recent M&A transactions:

– ConAgra Foods acquired Frontera Foods including the Frontera, Red Fork and Salpica brands from the Frontera Hospitality Group for an undisclosed amount.

– B&G Foods North America Inc. acquired ACH Food Companies, Inc., Spices and Seasonings Business for approximately $365 million.

– Cott Corporation acquired S&D Coffee, Inc. for approximately $355 million.

– UTZ Quality Foods, Inc. acquired Golden Enterprises Inc. for approximately $144 million.

– Gores Holdings, Inc. acquired Hostess Brands, LLC for approximately $2.2 billion.

– Dean Foods Company acquired Friendly’s Ice Cream, LLC, Manufacturing and retail ice cream business for approximately $155 million.

– Apollo Global Management, LLC entered into a definitive agreement to acquire The Fresh Market, Inc. for approximately $1.3 billion.

– Peakstone advises PepperJax Grill on sale of company to TA Associates for an undisclosed amount.

– Peakstone advises Clearbrook Farms on sale of company to Glencoe for an undisclosed amount.

Industry Update: Restaurant Update: Spotlight on Fast Casual – September, 2016

September 2016.

For announced transactions, restaurant multiples saw a modest increase from 10.1x EBITDA and 0.86x revenue in 2014 to 10.1x EBITDA and 1.03x revenue in 2015.

Recent notable publicly announced M&A transactions:

– BDT Capital Partners made a significant investment in Lou Malnati’s for an undisclosed sum. The deal is expected to close in early October.

-Roark Capital Group acquired majority stake in Jimmy John’s Franchise, LLC for an undisclosed amount.

-The Arlon Group acquired Cicis for an undisclosed amount.

-CenterOak Partners LLC acquired an unknown majority stake in Wetzel’s Pretzels, LLC for an undisclosed amount.

-MTY Food Group Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Kahala Corp. for approximately $300 million.

-Cotton Parent, Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. for approximately $1.3 billion.

-Brinker International, Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Pepper Dining, Inc. for approximately $106 million.

-Peakstone advises PepperJax Grill on sale of company to TA Associates for an undisclosed amount.

Nicholas Patrick joins The Peakstone Group as Managing Director

August, 2016. Nicholas Patrick joins The Peakstone Group as Managing Director, where he is responsible for transaction origination and execution. Prior to joining Peakstone, Nicholas spent nine years at Citadel, a hedge fund with more than $25 billion under management. Most recently, he was the Director of Operations and responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Citadel Global Equities Business Unit. Nicholas led strategic and tactical projects, business analysis and reporting initiatives, relationship management, investor support and financial planning. Prior to joining Citadel, Nicholas spent several years at Lake Capital, a private equity firm with more than $1.3 billion under management. At Lake Capital, he sourced and evaluated investment opportunities and executed add-on acquisition strategies and worked with management teams on initiatives that improved operations.

Prior to Lake Capital, Nicholas worked in investment banking at Lehman Brothers, executing M&A and capital raising engagements in a range of industries.

He is also currently an advisory board member for Review Trackers, an enterprise-level review monitoring and reputation management software platform. Nicholas received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University and his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business with concentrations in Corporate Finance and Entrepreneurship.

About Peakstone

The Peakstone Group is a leading investment bank that specializes in mergers and acquisitions advisory and capital raising for middle market clients. Our team is comprised of senior investment banking professionals who have decades of experience and have executed hundreds of transactions totaling billions of dollars. For additional information, visit www.peakstone.com or contact Carolyn Henson, chenson@peakstone.com or 312-204-7300.

Closed Deal Announcement – Peakstone Advises UPF Services on Sale to Chronos Solutions

August, 2016. Peakstone served as exclusive M&A advisor to UPF Services on its sale to Chronos Solutions. UPF Services is a Spokane Valley, Washington-based provider of process-driven services and technology solutions for the real estate and mortgage industries. Acquiring UPF Services was highly strategic for Chronos. UPF Services’ offerings – document preparation and recording, lien release, flood hazard compliance and tax monitoring services – complete Chronos Solutions’ suite of loan origination solutions. Chronos Solutions customers will now be able to order these services on a standalone basis or in conjunction with Chronos Solutions’ existing service offerings.

“Offering integrated services provides our clients with a huge advantage, enabling them to enhance efficiencies, reduce operational expenses, minimize risk and improve the overall customer experience,” said Chronos Solutions CEO Matt Martin. “Now that we are the only ‘one-stop shop’ in the country, we are uniquely able to offer these synergies to our clients.”

UPF CEO Mark Hikel will serve as Chrono Solutions’ President of Outsourced and Origination Solutions. “UPF is excited to join the Chronos Solutions family,” noted UPF Services CEO Mark Hikel, “It’s an important step for us to be part of creating a single company that can manage the entire ‘tracking’ process for the mortgage industry, with flood, tax, insurance and HOA. To our knowledge, we are the only firm in the country with this broad capability.”

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

For additional information about this transaction, contact:
Stephen Sleigh, Managing Director, 312-346-7318, ssleigh@peakstone.com

About Peakstone

The Peakstone Group is a leading investment bank that specializes in mergers and acquisitions advisory and capital raising for middle market clients.  Our team is comprised of senior investment banking professionals who have decades of experience and have executed hundreds of transactions totaling billions of dollars.  For additional information, visit www.peakstone.com.

Closed Deal Announcement – Peakstone Advises Rosenberg on Strategic Partnership with ADG

 

 

Closed Deal Announcement – Peakstone Advises PepperJax Grill on Sale Transaction

December, 2016. Peakstone served as exclusive M&A advisor to PepperJax Development Company (“PepperJax” or the “Company”) in connection with its sale to TA Associates.  Peakstone also advised the Company on the acquisition of its franchisees and assisted in negotiating and structuring critical contracts and leases associated with the transaction.

PepperJax is a rapidly growing fast-casual restaurant offering “America’s Best Philly” and other made-to-order, customizable sandwiches and flavorful entrees.  PepperJax currently operates 40 company-owned locations throughout the Midwest.

“It was a gut-wrenching decision to select an M&A advisor.  I had been approached by some potential buyers and wasn’t sure if I needed an Advisor.  I ultimately picked Peakstone because of their restaurant expertise and the hustle and thoughtfulness they demonstrated.  I had high expectations, and in this deal Peakstone blew them away. They executed on a successful strategy to find the right partner that shares our strategic vision for PepperJax and can help drive continued growth for the business.  They were very thoughtful in how they positioned the business to buyers, managed the sale process and negotiated a number of important terms in the transaction.  Their expertise, daily commitment, and creativity were essential to getting a great deal done,” said Gary Rohwer, founder of PepperJax.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

For additional information about Peakstone’s restaurant practice or information about this transaction, contact:

Alex Fridman, Managing Director, 312-346-7303, alex@peakstone.com
Jeff Temple, Managing Director, 312-346-7301, jtemple@peakstone.com


About Peakstone

Peakstone is a leading investment bank that specializes in mergers and acquisitions advisory and capital raising for middle market clients.  Our team is comprised of senior investment banking professionals who have decades of experience and have executed hundreds of transactions totaling billions of dollars.  For additional information, visit www.peakstone.com.

Closed Deal Announcement – Peakstone Advises H A Logistics on the sale of its H A Advantage division to AFN

July, 2016. H A Logistics has sold its H A Advantage division based in Columbus, Ohio to AFN.

H A Advantage provides a proprietary transportation management system and a LTL optimization capability.  AFN is a third party logistics service provider based in Niles, Illinois. The acquisition of H A Advantage will provide AFN the ability to offer greater value to their customers through technology and efficiency.

“Peakstone was instrumental in creating a competitive process, finding a strong buyer and then structuring an excellent deal with them,” Alan Huttmann, the owner of H A Logistics said at the conclusion of the transaction.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

For additional information about this transaction, contact:
Tom Juedes, Managing Director, 847-682-3388, tjuedes@peakstone.com
Steve Royko, Managing Director, 608-236-4490,  sroyko@peakstone.com

About Peakstone

The Peakstone Group is a leading investment bank that specializes in mergers and acquisitions advisory and capital raising for middle market clients.  Our team is comprised of senior investment banking professionals who have decades of experience and have executed hundreds of transactions totaling billions of dollars.  For additional information, visit www.peakstone.com.

Closed Deal Announcement – Peakstone Advises CYLX on Sale to Bison Group LLC