Case Studies
J.S. Held Acquires Element Forensic Engineering, Expanding Insurance-Focused Capabilities for Mid-Market and Large Loss Property Claims Across Canada
Read MoreA 21-location Sonic restaurant franchisee with approximately $20 million in annual sales faced mounting financial pressure due to $15 million of mortgage debt. The business operated in Florida, where same-store sales had declined by more than 10% annually for four consecutive years, leaving certain locations only marginally able to meet their mortgage obligations.
The company's debt structure presented additional challenges. Six separate banks were involved in the capital structure, but there was no formal bank group arrangement or intercreditor agreement governing lender relationships. The largest lender held approximately $10 million of the debt and was facing a hard maturity while seeking an exit from the credit relationship. At the same time, line usage fees and related expenses continued to increase the overall cost of servicing the debt.
Any broad restructuring effort would have required negotiations among all six lenders. Management had already approached existing lenders and multiple regional banks, but had been unable to identify a viable refinancing partner.
Our team was engaged to assist management in developing a refinancing strategy and identifying alternative sources of capital. Our experts quickly assembled a comprehensive refinancing package that included detailed financial information, projections, and store-level profitability analyses designed to provide prospective lenders with a clear understanding of the business and its performance.
Leveraging extensive relationships within the franchise-lending community, the team introduced the opportunity to several regional and national lenders and financial groups focused on franchise finance. Through this process, five major franchise lenders were brought in to evaluate the refinancing opportunity.
Our experts worked closely with prospective lenders to explain the company's complex ownership and real estate structure, helping to accelerate diligence and streamline decision-making. The quality and completeness of the financial package enabled a national franchise lender to quickly gain confidence in the opportunity and move efficiently through the underwriting process.
The result was a rapid refinancing timeline. The selected lender issued a Letter of Intent within two weeks, a commitment letter by week eight, and completed the transaction closing within eleven weeks, including all required title work, appraisals, surveys, and Phase I environmental assessments.
> Debt Restructuring Services
When a company is in financial distress, our Strategic Advisory experts design and implement debt restructuring and refinancing strategies tailored to the company’s unique circumstances. We help middle-market businesses stabilize operations, improve liquidity, and optimize their capital structures.
> Turnaround and Restructuring Services
Navigating the many challenges confronting a company in transition requires an operationally focused approach that looks beyond the balance sheet to minimize further degradation and build a path to sustainable growth. Drawing upon decades of experience in the turnaround space, we help companies in transition identify practical strategies to improve profitability and liquidity for immediate relief, while concurrently developing and executing a comprehensive turnaround plan for long-term, sustainable value creation.
