Levine Leichtman Capital Partners’ Portfolio Company Global Franchise Group Completes Acquisition of Round Table Pizza

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 18, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (“LLCP”), a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, announced that Global Franchise Group, LLC (“GFG”; http://www.globalfranchise.com ), a portfolio company of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners IV, L.P., has successfully completed the strategic acquisition of Round Table Pizza, Inc. (“Round Table Pizza”), a leading pizza restaurant franchisor in the Western United States.

Round Table Pizza was established in 1959 in northern California. The company’s commitment to producing premium, high-quality pizza has set them apart from the competition and made its pizza a consumer favorite across the seven states in which the company operates. 

The addition of Round Table Pizza to GFG’s existing portfolio of brands will enable the companies to leverage GFG’s resources, particularly on the franchising side, to accelerate growth and bring the Round Table Pizza brand to additional consumers across new markets.

Robert Poletti, Partner of LLCP, commented, “Round Table Pizza is a valuable strategic addition to GFG. GFG’s distinctive brands create a well-rounded franchise portfolio in the quick service restaurant industry. This highly accretive transaction will mutually benefit both companies and will provide significant value to all of GFG’s stakeholders.”

Chris Dull, CEO of GFG, added, "Our mission is ‘We champion brands, and the people who build them.’ We think Round Table Pizza is a great brand that is loved within its communities, and we are thrilled to partner with its employees and franchisees.  We look forward to leveraging our combined best-in-class resources to better serve our growing franchise base.”

Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal advisor to LLCP and GFG in connection with the acquisition. Round Table Pizza was advised by North Point Advisors and Farella Braun + Martel LLP.

About Global Franchise Group

GFG, based in Atlanta, GA, is a strategic 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®, MaggieMoo’s Ice Cream & Treatery®, and Hot Dog on a Stick®.  Combined with Round Table Pizza, GFG has over 1,500 company-owned and franchised locations worldwide, primarily located in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Asia.

About Levine Leichtman Capital Partners

LLCP is a Los Angeles, California based private investment firm that has managed approximately $9.0 billion of institutional capital since its inception. LLCP invests in middle market companies located in the United States and Europe. LLCP is currently making new investments through Levine Leichtman Capital Partners VI, L.P., LLCP Lower Middle Market Fund, L.P., Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Private Capital Solutions, L.P., Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Europe, L.P. and LLCP Co-Investment Fund, L.P. LLCP has offices in Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, Chicago, London and The Hague.

Contact: David Wolmer
Phone: 310-275-5335