Roark Adds Pet Valu To The Fold

Bizjournals.com:

Roark Capital Group completed its $131 million deal to buy Canada-based pet food and pet supplies retailer Pet Valu.

Markham, Ontario-based Pet Valu had $208.4 million in system sales across 356 franchised and corporate stores in Canada and the United States.

The deal is Atlanta-based Roark’s 15th franchise investment and the second major acquisition since the private equity firm secured $1 billion in its second institutional fund last year.

“The Pet Valu acquisition is consistent with our strategy of investing in value-added franchises that have strong brands and market positions,” said Ezra Field, Roark Capital managing director, in a statement. “The concept is right down the middle for us in terms of being a franchised specialty retail and distribution business with an experienced management team and a loyal customer base. And the demand characteristics of the pet sector are attractive.”