Navigator Partners Takes Minority Stake in SMB Franchise Advisors
After a decade of co-investing in emerging brands, Pennsylvania-based consultancy SMB Franchise Advisors has secured a strategic minority investment from the principals of Navigator Partners. The deal formalizes a long-standing working relationship and establishes a new board to oversee the firm’s next phase of national scaling.
The partnership brings together the consulting expertise of SMB founder Steve Beagelman and Chief Growth Officer Brian Luciani with the capital backing of Navigator’s Bernard Markey and William Stewart. The new board will focus on expanding the firm’s support services for franchisors, building on a history that includes successful joint ventures like K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotels and Pure Sweat Studios. SMB will retain its current leadership team and day-to-day operational autonomy.
Founded in 2009, SMB Franchise Advisors has assisted more than 600 companies across diverse industries in navigating the transition from independent business to scaled franchise system. By integrating Navigator’s growth capital and operational experience with its own pipeline of emerging brands, the firm intends to broaden its service offerings. Legal representation for the transaction was provided by Fox Rothschild LLP for the investors and Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP for SMB.
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