Franchise Equity Partners (FEP), a leading private investment firm dedicated to fostering enduring partnerships within the franchise sector, has announced strategic expansions to its team. The firm welcomes Ari Herman as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), along with Grant Mueller as Senior Associate, and Alex Chang as Associate. Simultaneously, FEP celebrates the advancement of four members within its investment division: Matt Crowe and Katie Haverty to Vice President, and John Esposito and Riad Hallal to Associate. This growth underscores Franchise Equity Partners’ commitment to expanding its footprint and expertise in the franchise investment landscape.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ari, Grant, and Alex to FEP as we continue to strategically build our presence in the franchise investment arena. Furthermore, we are immensely proud to recognize and promote the talent within our existing team – Matt, Katie, Riad, and John,” stated Scott Romanoff, Co-Managing Partner at Franchise Equity Partners. “Our firm operates with a culture akin to a family office, fostering empowerment and collaboration as we pursue our objective of building a $1 billion portfolio. I am honored to work alongside such a dedicated and talented team and am excited about their future contributions to Franchise Equity Partners.”
Ari Herman joins Franchise Equity Partners as CFO, bringing over a decade of expertise in private equity back-office operations to the firm. His prior role as Private Equity Controller at Casdin Capital, coupled with his experience as Vice President of Finance and Operations at Level Equity and Controller/Vice President of Finance at Solera Capital, positions him as a strong leader for FEP’s finance department. Herman also spent six years at PwC as an Audit Manager specializing in alternative investments and holds licenses as a CPA and Notary Public in New York. His deep financial acumen is a significant asset as Franchise Equity Partners continues to grow.
Grant Mueller assumes the role of Senior Associate, where he will concentrate on investment opportunities across sports, consumer, and business service sectors. Mueller’s recent experience as a private equity professional at Princeton Equity Group, focusing on franchisors and multi-unit service businesses, provides him with a valuable perspective on the franchise market. His responsibilities included overseeing investments in prominent auto services, fitness, and consumer healthcare franchises. Earlier in his career, Mueller was involved in M&A and financing transactions at Greenhill & Company and began his career in investment banking at Aeris Partners.
Alex Chang joins Franchise Equity Partners as an Associate, adding his investment banking experience to the team. Prior to FEP, Chang was a Senior Analyst at Evercore in the Consumer Retail Group and an analyst at UBS in the Consumer Products & Retail Group, where he honed his expertise in the consumer sector. His initial career steps were in Beijing at a VCPE firm, where he focused on investments in high-growth sectors such as semi-conductors and healthcare technology. At Franchise Equity Partners, Chang will support investment deals across various high-potential verticals.
In addition to these strategic hires, Franchise Equity Partners is committed to nurturing internal talent, demonstrated by the recent promotions within its investment division.
Matt Crowe has been promoted to Vice President, recognizing his crucial role in guiding FEP’s investments across diverse industries since 2021. Crowe’s expertise spans consumer, residential and commercial services, beverage, and automotive sectors. He has been instrumental in forging partnerships with companies like Fresh Dining Concepts and Reliable Residential. In his elevated role, Crowe will continue to be a driving force in Franchise Equity Partners’ franchise-focused investments.
Katie Haverty, promoted to Vice President from Senior Associate, joined Franchise Equity Partners in 2022 and has made significant contributions to investments in consumer services, restaurants, and heavy equipment sectors. Her efforts have been key to establishing partnerships with major franchise operators such as Pacific Bells and National Fitness Partners.
Riad Hallal, who joined the investment team in 2021, has been promoted to Associate. Hallal contributes to shaping Franchise Equity Partners’ investment strategy across automotive, residential and commercial services, restaurants, and fitness industries.
John Esposito, also promoted to Associate after joining in 2021, supports investment deals across sectors including auto, beverage, and heavy equipment.
“Franchise Equity Partners is experiencing significant momentum, and we are excited to support the ongoing development of our investment team while also integrating dynamic new talent,” commented David O’Donnell, Managing Director at Franchise Equity Partners. “Together, we will build upon Franchise Equity Partners’ position as a leading private investment firm in the franchise space and pave the way for sustained success.”
Franchise Equity Partners, founded by former Goldman Sachs partners Mike Esposito and Scott Romanoff, operates with a unique investment philosophy. They provide minority, permanent, and passive capital, allowing franchise operators to access institutional-level resources without relinquishing control. This approach appeals to multi-generational families and entrepreneurs seeking to scale their businesses and realize long-term value, offering an alternative to traditional buyout structures. Franchise Equity Partners focuses on creating true partnerships with franchise businesses, fueling their growth and long-term prosperity.
For more information about Franchise Equity Partners and their approach to franchise investments, please visit https://www.fep-us.com/.
About Franchise Equity Partners:
Franchise Equity Partners is a private investment firm that partners with franchise businesses and their owners. Leveraging extensive corporate finance and operational experience, they offer a differentiated investment model aimed at facilitating growth, ownership transitions, and strategic business opportunities, with an initial portfolio target of $1 billion. To discover more about Franchise Equity Partners, visit www.fep-us.com or follow them on LinkedIn.
Contact:
Andrea Mazzola
(954) 893-9150
[email protected]
SOURCE Franchise Equity Partners
