Franchise Times Dealmakers Awards Recognizes Best in Franchise M&A
Franchise Times honors M&A excellence amid a competitive landscape.
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Franchise Times recognized key players in the franchise M&A space during its Dealmakers Awards, focusing on major transactions exceeding $1 billion as well as impactful smaller deals across various sectors. The awards aim to spotlight excellence in franchise buying and selling to promote sustainable growth in the industry.
Why It Matters
The identification of leading franchise dealmakers suggests growing investor confidence and competitive positioning in the market, which may influence territory dynamics and opportunities for franchisees looking to expand.
Franchise Times highlighted significant achievements in franchise mergers and acquisitions (M&A) at its annual Dealmakers Awards, which took place virtually from April 27-29, 2026. The event celebrated notable transactions, including several valued at over $1 billion across various sectors, such as restaurants, fitness, beauty, wellness, pet care, and automotive industries. The awards aim to recognize excellence in the franchise acquisition process and foster sustainable growth in the industry.
Nominees for the awards were solicited in the fourth quarter of the previous year and evaluated by a panel of judges with expertise in franchise finance. The judges included Kevin Combs from Pinnacle Financial Partners, John Dysart from M&T Bank, Amy Forrestal from Brookwood Associates, and Racheal O’Leary from CLA. This year, over 40 nominations were reviewed, culminating in the selection of award winners who will be featured in the May issue of Franchise Times.
While the article did not provide specific details regarding individual transactions or the future implications of these deals for franchisees, it indicates a robust deal-making environment, suggesting potential ongoing opportunities for growth and investment within the franchise sector. The continuity of established royalty structures and support systems for franchisees may vary depending on individual acquisitions, although the overall sentiment points towards strong resilience in franchise operations.
