Global Franchise Group (GFG), a portfolio company of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, has acquired the assets of Hot Dog on a Stick. In February 2014, HDOS Enterprises – the owner of the Hot Dog on a Stick assets – filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Since its founding in 1946, Hot Dog on a Stick has been serving its famous hot dogs on a stick and lemonade and now has 92 locations in the US and internationally. The company is headquartered in Carlsbad, CA (hotdogonastick.com).
According to Lauren Leichtman,Co-Founder and CEO of LLCP, the addition of HDOS to GFG’s existing portfolio of brands will allow HDOS to leverage GFG’s resources, particularly on the franchising side, to accelerate growth and bring the HDOS brand into new territories and markets. “The HDOS acquisition is an important strategic addition to the GFG platform, which will strengthen the company’s geographic footprint and provide yet another growth avenue for GFG. The transaction will be highly accretive and generate significant synergies that will ultimately provide value to all of GFG’s stakeholders.”
Global Franchise Group is a brand management company that owns and manages a portfolio of franchised brands in the quick service restaurant industry. These brands include Great American Cookies, Pretzelmaker, Marble Slab Creamery, and MaggieMoo’s Ice Cream & Treatery. Combined with Hot Dog on a Stock, GFG now has over 1,100 company-owned and franchised locations worldwide, primarily located in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Asia. GFG is based in Atlanta (www.globalfranchise.com).
“The transaction with HDOS will add another strong brand to GFG’s already existing robust quick service restaurant portfolio,” said Chris Dull, President and CEO of GFG. “Utilizing GFG’s strength in brand management, marketing and franchising, along with the iconic brand and long heritage of HDOS, we can greatly accelerate growth while providing HDOS’s loyal customer base with even greater service and menu offerings in the years to come.”
Levine Leichtman manages approximately $7 billion of capital through private equity partnerships, distressed debt and leveraged loan funds. The firm is currently making new investments through Levine Leichtman Capital Partners V, LP; Levine Leichtman Capital Partners SBIC Fund, LP; and Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Private Capital Solutions II, LP. The firm is based in Los Angeles with offices in Chicago, Dallas, New York and London (www.llcp.com).
2014 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 8-22-14