News Release

DALLAS, TX – Safeguard Business Systems, the provider of products, services and expertise designed to help businesses across North America grow, has again been honored by one of the world's premier franchise publications, Franchise Times, with a Dealmaker of the Year Award. The company first won a Dealmaker of the Year Award in 2014 and remains the only firm in its industry segment to win the award. Safeguard is recognized among other franchise industry veterans such as CKA Management, FAT Brands, OCAT LLC, MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes, NRD Capital, Window Genie, Katten Muchin Rosenman and the Hari Group.

Last year was a landmark year for Safeguard, completing more than 25 transactions including 18 acquisitions and seven divestitures. According to Franchise Times, one of the most notable transactions was the March 2017 divestiture of Brand Advantage Group by Safeguard, a company-operated business, to existing Safeguard employees Dave Daoust and Tom Lyngdal.

“Often times, our buyers involved in these transactions struggle to understand how they may be able to achieve their dream of business ownership. Our innovative divestment structures make it possible,” said Vice President of Safeguard and Business Acquisitions and Mergers (BAM) team leader R. Scott Sutton. “With Brand Advantage Group, we acquired the business and then divested the enterprise to existing owners within the Safeguard system that we knew could accomplish great things in the future. This is just one example of the many successful transactions our team accomplished in 2017.”

Dealmakers are some of the boldest players driving mergers and acquisitions in franchising according to Franchise Times. It’s a celebration of the movers and shakers in franchise finance and a chance to inspire others in the space looking to achieve similar growth.

“Receiving a Dealmaker of the Year award is a huge accomplishment for Safeguard, especially when you take into consideration the competitiveness of the franchise industry,” Sutton said. “Since 2008, when the BAM strategy was launched, our company has focused on helping our Safeguard franchise network grow through the completion of strategic merger, acquisition and divestment transactions that not only increase the brand awareness, relevancy and market share of the Safeguard brand, but also provide a platform for growth for existing and new Safeguard franchisees. Based on the results we’ve seen so far, the potential for growth for Safeguard and our franchisees remains extremely strong.”

In honor of this recognition, the Dealmaker of the Year Award will be presented to Safeguard at the Franchise Finance & Growth Conference on Tuesday, May 8th at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. Safeguard President J.J. Sorrenti will also be speaking at the conference on Monday, May 7th about this accomplishment, the company and future growth plans.

For a detailed list of all of the nominees for the 6th Annual Franchise Times Dealmaker of the Year.

ABOUT SAFEGUARD
For more than 60 years, Safeguard, through its network of distributors, has been providing the products, services and expertise needed by business owners to help their businesses grow. Through innovation, dedication and a commitment to quality and integrity, Safeguard has transformed itself from a small check printing business to a fully diversified business solutions enterprise. To learn more about Safeguard, please visit www.gosafeguard.com, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/gosafeguard

ABOUT SAFEGUARD BAM
Since 2008, Safeguard’s award-winning Business Acquisitions and Mergers (BAM) Team has been providing growth-focused merger, acquisition and divestiture services to Safeguard, its affiliates, distributors and franchisees across multiple business channels. With more than 100 years of collective experience in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, business strategy and financial performance assessment, the BAM Team possesses the “know how” needed to complete complex transactions in ways that are efficient, effective and rewarding for sellers and buyers alike. The BAM team has completed more than 150 total transactions since its inception, earning accolades at the highest levels, including a bronze Stevie® American Business Award as Support Team of the Year and a coveted Dealmaker of the Year award, presented by Franchise Times® Magazine. To learn more about the BAM Team, please visit safeguardbam.com, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/safeguardgrowth.