Brentwood Associates Acquires American Lifestyle Brand And Multi-channel Retailer J.McLaughlin to Fund Continued Growth

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Brentwood Associates, a leading consumer-focused private equity investment firm, announced it has acquired J.McLaughlin, a preeminent designer, marketer and multi-channel retailer of classic American sportswear with modern relevance.

Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Brooklyn, NY, J.McLaughlin is a lifestyle brand rooted in the American traditions of sport, work and play. The brand designs proprietary apparel and accessories for men and women with an emphasis on impeccable craftsmanship and timeless style, with standout colors and a signature portfolio of prints. Currently, the company operates 103 retail locations along the Eastern seaboard, Midwest, Texas and California and has a rapidly growing e-commerce business through www.jmclaughlin.com.  The brand is known for its exemplary customer service and distinctive store environments.

Commenting on the Brentwood partnership, Kevin McLaughlin, Chief Creative Officer and co-founder of the brand said, "We are extremely proud of what we have achieved in our thirty-eight year history, and we're excited to partner with Brentwood to usher in the next phase of J.McLaughlin's journey." McLaughlin continued, "Brentwood has proven through prior investments to be a value-added partner and their experience in both the direct-to-consumer and retail channels will be a unique resource as we continue to grow our brand."  

"J.McLaughlin offers distinct, timeless merchandise, and it's a perfect fit for Brentwood and our investment strategy. We see a significant opportunity to continue growing the company across all channels of distribution, by both increasing the current retail footprint and  investing in the company's direct marketing efforts, both online and offline," said Steve Moore, a partner at Brentwood. "We have enjoyed working with the J.McLaughlin management team, and we are excited to build upon the solid foundation that the team has created."

"J.McLaughlin is an emerging lifestyle brand with an impressive following of loyal customers in sophisticated urban neighborhoods, affluent suburban main streets and resort destinations.  We are thrilled to be partnering with the company and plan to leverage the strength of the brand to accelerate the company's growth," said Roger Goddu, a partner at Brentwood Associates. 

J.McLaughlin was advised by the Sage Group, LLC and its legal counsel was Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Brentwood was represented by Greenberg Traurig, LLP on the transaction and Kirkland & Ellis LLP on the debt financing.  Golub Capital provided debt financing supporting the acquisition.

ABOUT J.McLAUGHLIN

J.McLaughlin was founded by two brothers, Kevin and Jay McLaughlin, in 1977. Their goal was to create a new American sportswear brand based in New York and built on several basic concepts: classic clothes with current relevance, sold in a friendly retail environment that has a neighborhood feel. With over 100 retail locations, J.McLaughlin occupies some of the most picturesque main-street real estate in America. True to the vision of the McLaughlin brothers, the stores have a warmly residential feel and exemplary customer service. "Being a good neighbor" is central to the brand's approach to business, and J.McLaughlin values being a welcome and active member of each community in which it operates. The company also operates a fully responsive digital flagship at www.jmclaughlin.com. The company is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York.

About Brentwood Associates

Brentwood Associates is a leading consumer-focused private equity investment firm with over $1.4 billion of capital under management and a 30-year history of investing in leading middle-market growth companies. Brentwood focuses on investments in growing businesses where it is able to leverage its extensive experience in areas such as: specialty retail; branded consumer products; consumer services; direct marketing, including direct mail and e-commerce; education; health and wellness; and restaurants. Since 1984, Brentwood's dedicated private equity team has invested in 48 portfolio companies with an aggregate transaction value of over $6 billion. With significant experience in both investing and brand building, Brentwood is a value-added partner with entrepreneurs and senior management teams building world-class companies. For more information about Brentwood, please visit www.brentwood.com.

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SOURCE Brentwood Associates

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