Major 7 Brew franchisee bought by Franchise Equity Partners

Group 1 - Franchise Equity Partners (FEP) has acquired a majority stake in 7 Crew, the second-largest franchisee of 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee, with plans to expand from 50 to 200 locations in the next five years [8] - 7 Brew has seen significant growth, increasing its store count from 14 in 2021 to over 460 in 2023, primarily driven by franchisees [8] - The deal highlights a trend in the restaurant sector where private equity is increasingly involved in mergers and acquisitions, with several notable transactions occurring this year [6][7] Group 2 - 7 Brew's mature franchised units have an average unit volume of approximately $2 million, indicating strong unit economics [5] - The franchisee operates in key states including Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, leveraging scale and prime territory for growth [3] - The investment by FEP is seen as a potential signal for increased investor interest in high-growth franchise operators with strong economic fundamentals [7]