Franchise Times today announces 12 winners of the 2025 Franchise Times Dealmakers awards, the 13th 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 2025 Deal of the Year will also be revealed. A virtual awards presentation will highlight Franchise Times Dealmakers Week April 21-24, a series of webinars featuring top dealmakers sharing their growth strategies.
DEALMAKERS OF THE YEAR 2025 (in alphabetical order)
Blackstone bought Tropical Smoothie Café from Levine Leichtman Capital Partners.
Boxwood Partners advised 4Ever Young Anti-Aging Solutions on sale to Highmount Madison.
Capital Insight provides capitalization for Mr. Gatti’s Pizza to refinance its balance sheet and expand.
CMG Companies acquired more units in Sonic, Little Caesars and Ace Hardware.
Craveworthy Brands acquired cookie franchise Dirty Dough.
Elite Burgers sold 10 high-volume Wendy’s restaurants to ADKCO Burgers for $13.2 million.
Franchise Equity Partners acquired 38 company-owned Valvoline Instant Oil Change locations in West Texas.
Image Studios got a significant investment from MPK Equity Partners.
Luxury Pet Hotel Investments invested $10 million in K9 Holdings and acquired franchising rights to 30 territories.
Rainier Partners invested in a top Anytime Fitness franchisee, Omega Fitness.
ADVISER RECOGNITION (in alphabetical order)
Harrington Park Advisors completed deals involving Houston TX Hot Chicken, Image Studios, Untamed Brands and Fresh Brothers.
Unbridled Capital completed many 2024 deals, including the sale of 65 Wendy’s in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and the sale of 28 KFC units.