NRD Capital Management, LLC, an Atlanta-based private equity firm that specializes in franchised and multi-unit business investments, announced today that John Teza has joined the firm as Director, supporting business development and portfolio company growth.
The addition of Mr. Teza, who has nearly two decades of experience leading and working with franchised and multi-unit restaurant brands, is part of NRD’s growth strategy coming out of their recently closed second fund, NRD Partners II L.P.
The second fund, which closed on July 11th, had total investor limited partner commitments of $104 million, exceeding the fund’s target of $100 million.
“After recently closing Fund II, bringing John on-board was the next step in executing on our strategy of investing in brands that offer superior products/services and compelling unit economics, and maximizing their potential through the franchise business model,” said Aziz Hashim, Managing Partner of NRD. “I’ve known John for many years now and I couldn’t be more excited to bring his exceptional experience and guidance to the NRD team.”
NRD is focused on investing in domestic and international franchise concepts ranging from traditional, multi-unit restaurant brands to new and emerging verticals such as healthcare franchising, in order to take advantage of important future trends.
“I am excited to be joining the innovative team at NRD, and to be surrounded by a group of operator-centric investment professionals,” said John Teza. “NRD approaches private equity and the franchise model from a different perspective than anyone else in the industry, which was highly attractive coming from my background working with franchised and multi-unit restaurant brands. I’m looking forward to joining the team and helping to drive continued growth for the firm.”
Mr. Teza joins NRD from Corner Bakery Café, a Roark Capital portfolio company, where he served as Chief Development Officer since May 2016. In this role, Mr. Teza was responsible for creating and implementing a strategic transformation plan for the 190+ unit company-owned and franchise operation. Prior to Corner Bakery Café, Mr. Teza served as the Chief Development Officer at Jersey Mikes from May 2011 through November 2015. During his nearly five-year tenure, Mr. Teza led a period of unprecedented growth for the emerging fast-casual brand, with system-wide sales growing to over $700 million. Additionally, Mr. Teza led Jersey Mikes’ real estate, market planning, franchising, design/construction, strategic planning and brand expansion marketing teams. Mr. Teza started his career in the restaurant industry with Quiznos, where he joined as a Senior Vice President in 1997, and progressed to the title of Executive Vice President of Development. Mr. Teza is also the Founder and President of Janus Brands, a consulting firm he founded in 2009 that focuses on the restaurant and franchise industries. He is an active member of the restaurant leadership and franchising communities, serving as Trustee of the Franchise Education and Research Foundation, Chairman of the Springboard Conference, board member of the Franchise Leadership and Development Conference, and a former Board Member of Technomic’s Operator Advisory Board.
About NRD Capital
NRD Capital Management, LLC, founded by Aziz Hashim, invests in brands that offer superior products or services and compelling unit-level economics in order to help them strategically grow through the power of franchising. The fund invests in small to medium-sized franchisors, infusing capital and applying operating expertise to grow brands. NRD has thus far acquired two multi-location franchise brands, Frisch’s Big Boy and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, which have generated $450 million in annual system revenues from 220 locations in 12 states. Both brands are currently in NRD’s portfolio. For more information please visit www.nrdcapital.com.
