Roark Capital Group Acquires Batteries Plus

    ATLANTA, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Roark Capital Group, an Atlanta-based
 private equity firm, announced today the acquisition of Batteries Plus.
 Headquartered in Hartland, Wis., Batteries Plus is the leading dedicated
 retailer of batteries and battery accessories. Batteries Plus generates
 approximately $200 million in system-wide sales through 292 franchise and
 15 company-owned stores in 41 states and Puerto Rico, serving both retail
 customers and commercial accounts.
     The acquisition of Batteries Plus is Roark's 13th in the franchise
 sector. Roark's other franchise businesses include Carvel, Cinnabon,
 Schlotzsky's, Moe's Southwest Grill and Seattle's Best Coffee International
 (all of which are owned by Focus Brands, a Roark platform company),
 McAlister's Deli, Money Mailer and Fast Signs. Roark's 13 franchise brands
 collectively have more than 13,000 points of distribution, 4,000 locations,
 2,000 franchisees, and $2.9 billion in system-wide revenues in 50 US states
 and 33 countries.
     "Batteries Plus is the market leader and category creator in the strong
 and growing batteries market," said Neal Aronson, Founder and Managing
 Partner of Roark Capital. "The management team, led by CEO Russ Reynolds
 and COO Tom O'Hare, has done an outstanding job of building the company's
 brand, infrastructure and franchise base. We are very excited to partner
 with this outstanding team."
     Reynolds, who is investing alongside Roark in the transaction, will
 continue to lead the company as CEO. "I'm very happy about Batteries Plus
 joining the Roark family of franchise brands," Reynolds commented. "Roark's
 expertise and relationships in the franchise sector will be extraordinarily
 valuable to us as we execute Batteries Plus' growth plan. Their ability to
 help refine best practices and identify opportunities for improvement in
 franchise businesses is second to none."
     Alan Epstein, Chairman of Batteries Plus stated: "My family and I are
 very pleased that our legacy will be carried forward by Roark and the
 current management team. Roark has the experience, integrity and track
 record to sustain and grow Batteries Plus, and I am confident that our
 customers, employees, and franchisees will all benefit greatly from Roark's
 stewardship."
     About Roark Capital Group
     Roark Capital Group is an Atlanta-based private equity firm that
 specializes in business and consumer service companies with attractive
 growth prospects and revenues ranging from $20 million to $1.0 billion.
 Specific areas of focus include franchise, direct marketing, and financial
 services. The firm has more than $1.5 billion of equity capital under
 management. For more information, visit www.roarkcapital.com.
     About Batteries Plus
     Batteries Plus is the largest dedicated retailer of batteries and
 battery accessories. The company's product assortment includes over 15,000
 different SKUs. From 307 locations in 41 states and Puerto Rico, Batteries
 Plus sells to retail and commercial customers and provides services
 including battery testing and installation. For additional information,
 visit www.batteriesplus.com.
      Contact:    Debra Vilchis               or       Kathy Potaniec
                  Fishman Public Relations             Fishman Public Relations
                  847-945-1300, ext. 227               847-945-1300, ext. 259
                  dvilchis@fishmanpr.com               kpotaniec@fishmanpr.com
 
 

SOURCE Roark Capital Group