Barley Snyder LLC represented the owners of Auntie Anne’s, the franchisor of the world’s largest hand-rolled soft pretzel chain, in the sale of the company to FOCUS Brands. Auntie Anne’s, headquartered in Lancaster, PA, has nearly 1,100 stores in 44 states and 21 countries. FOCUS Brands is a company owned by Roark Capital, an Atlanta-based private equity firm. With the addition of Auntie Anne’s, FOCUS Brands will have six franchise brands generating more than $1.4 billion in annual system-wide revenues. The transaction closed recently after the expiration of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period.
The Barley Snyder transaction team included partners Paul G. Mattaini, John T. Reed and Maria Elliot. Barley Snyder represented Auntie Anne’s owners since they acquired the company in 2005 from the founder, Anne Beiler. “Barley Snyder, led by Paul Mattaini, has been a trusted advisor for many years, providing thoughtful and balanced advice, from the acquisition of the company several years ago through the negotiation and closing of this transaction,” said Sam Beiler, Auntie Anne’s former majority shareholder and CEO.
Barley Snyder has been proud to have been associated with Auntie Anne’s over the years, as the company has demonstrated tremendous success for its shareholders, employees and the community during its growth into an internationally known brand.
To view the transaction tombstone please click here.
Barley Snyder is a full-service law firm of 65 attorneys with five offices throughout Central Pennsylvania in Lancaster, York, Reading, Hanover and Berwyn.
