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Matt Gruenberg

Matthew Gruenberg

Partner
Los Angeles (Century City)
About

Matt Gruenberg is an experienced transactional lawyer who devotes his practice to the franchise and distribution industry, where he represents and provides counsel to clients in matters involving franchise and distribution law, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, licensing and strategic partnerships, debt and equity financings, and real estate issues.

Matt’s clients include public and private companies, private equity institutions and portfolio companies, and high-profile individuals in such industries as manufacturing, textiles, healthcare, sports and fitness, restaurants and food service, fashion and apparel, hospitality, real estate, entertainment, advertising and media, financial services, and technology. 

Matt has experience handling transactions and regulatory compliance in the Americas, Asia Pacific, EU, Middle East, and Africa.  He also has considerable experience counseling clients through complex disputes, including matters involving parallel investigations by regulatory agencies.

Areas of FocusConsumer Goods, Food and RetailMedia, Sport and EntertainmentReal EstateCorporateFranchisePrivate Equity
Bar admissionsCalifornia

EXPERIENCE

Representative Transactions

Matt has represented:

  • Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in its initial franchise offering
  • Affiliates of Berkshire Hathaway in purchase of Intero Real Estate
  • Goldman Sachs in franchise system acquisition diligence
  • American Securities in franchise system acquisition diligence
  • Mathnasium in sale to affiliates of Roark Capital Group
  • Twin Peaks in sale to FAT Brands (NASDAQ:  FAT)
  • Affiliates of Platinum Equity in purchase of Valpak
  • Affiliates of LightBay Capital in purchase of FastSigns
  • Affiliates of Roark Capital Group in purchase of Sonic Drive-In
  • Jamba Juice in sale to Focus Brands
  • Oakwood Worldwide in purchase of ExecuStay
  • Affiliates of Franchise Group (NASDAQ:  FRG) in several refranchising transactions
  • StretchLab in sale to Xponential Fitness
  • Res-Care in purchase of Angel Companions
  • Pitfire Pizza in sale to KarpReilly
  • Christy Dawn in sale to KarpReilly
  • Affiliates of KarpReilly and Founders of American Beauty Ventures in restaurant brand growth
  • Mayweather Boxing + Fitness in acquisition of Kick House and in its initial international franchise offering
  • The Agency (theagencyre.com) in its initial franchise offering
  • Tracy Anderson Method in its initial franchise offering
  • PetWellClinic in its initial franchise offering
  • Retail Zoo (Boost Juice) in its initial U.S. franchise offering
  • Oakwood Worldwide in its initial global franchise offerings
  • Laird Hamilton and Gabrielle Reece in M&A and licensing transactions
  • Sandbox VR in global franchise expansion
  • Yonder Hospitality in growth of lifestyle hospitality conglomerate
  • ProTaper in global license with an American motorcycle manufacturer
Education
  • J.D., University of San Diego School of Law
    Alumni Scholar
  • B.S., University of Colorado at Boulder

Awards

  • Franchise Law Journal, Topics Editor (2018 – 2020), Associate Editor (2020 – present)
  • The Legal 500 United States
    • Recommended, Media and Entertainment: Litigation (2023)
    • Recommended, Commercial Deals & Contracts (2019)
  • Who's Who Legal: Franchise (17th Edition) 2019, (20th Edition) 2022
  • Franchise Times, Dealmakers, Judge (2019)
  • Franchise Times, Legal Eagle (2014-2020)
  • The Franchise Lawyer, Associate Editor (2015 – 2018)

Pro Bono

Matt is committed to supporting the firm's pro bono efforts. He has extensive experience advocating for asylum seekers before the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and discharged veterans before the Army Review Boards Agency.  Matt also has experience working with the Promise of Justice Initiative Jim Crow Jury Project on behalf of Louisiana inmates seeking relief from unconstitutional jury convictions.

Publications

  • Co-Author, Franchising & Distribution Currents, Franchise Law Journal, Spring 2019, Winter 2021, Fall 2021
  • Contributor, The Bankruptcy Handbook for Franchisors and Franchisees, ABA Book Publishing, July 2018
  • Co-Author, FTC's Data Security Authority Survives in Wyndham, The Franchise Lawyer, Vol. 17, No. 2, Spring 2014
  • Co-Author, Protecting the System: Ways That Franchisors Can Plan for Franchisee Financial Distress and Navigate Franchisee Receiverships and Bankruptcies, Franchise Law Journal, Vol. 33, No. 3, Winter 2014

Prior Experience

  • Earlier in his career, Matt served as an extern for the United States Attorney’s Office and with the Honorable Leo S. Papas at the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.

Memberships And Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
  • International Bar Association
  • International Franchise Association

Connect

Phone

+1 310 595 3018
(Work, Los Angeles (Century City))
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