Matt Gruenberg

Matthew Gruenberg

Partner
Los Angeles
About

Matt Gruenberg is a transactional lawyer with an international practice devoted to counseling private equity firms and their portfolio companies, private and public companies, and high-profile individuals, in structuring and negotiating mergers and acquisitions, equity investments, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships and arrangements, with an emphasis in franchising, licensing, and distribution.

Matt's experience spans many industries, and he serves as outside general counsel to numerous private-equity backed companies, and other private companies, advising on legal and business matters, including growth strategies, acquisitions and dispositions, regulatory compliance, and general commercial, corporate, and franchise matters.

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

EXPERIENCE

Representative Transactions

Matt has represented:

  • Berkshire Hathaway in acquisition of Prudential and Intero Real Estate
  • Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in initial franchise offering
  • Goldman Sachs in franchise system acquisition diligence
  • American Securities in franchise system acquisition diligence
  • RWN Management in franchise acquisition diligence and portfolio management
  • Prospect Partners in franchise acquisition diligence
  • AEA Elevate in franchise system acquisition diligence
  • Monogram Capital Partners in franchise acquisition diligence
  • Mathnasium in sale to affiliates of Roark Capital Group
  • Twin Peaks in sale to FAT Brands (NASDAQ: FAT)
  • Platinum Equity in purchase of Valpak
  • LightBay Capital in purchase of FastSigns
  • Roark Capital Group in purchase of Sonic Drive-In
  • Jamba Juice in sale to Focus Brands
  • Oakwood Worldwide in purchase of ExecuStay, a Marriott brand
  • Franchise Group (NASDAQ: FRG) in 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
  • KarpReilly and Founders of American Beauty Ventures in joint venture
  • Nothing Bundt Cakes in refranchising transactions
  • Mayweather Boxing in acquisition of Kick House
  • The Agency Real Estate in initial franchise offering
  • Tracy Anderson Method in initial franchise offering and licensing transactions
  • Retail Zoo in U.S. franchise offering
  • Laird Hamilton and Gabrielle Reece in dispositions and licensing transactions

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, (21st Edition) 2023, (22nd Edition) 2024
  • 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.

Education
  • J.D., University of San Diego School of Law
    Alumni Scholar
  • B.S., University of Colorado at Boulder

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

My latest insights

News

DLA Piper partners Matthew Gruenberg and Yoni Tuchman named to Los Angeles Business...

21 December 2023 .2 minute read

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Phone

+1 310 595 3018
(Work, Los Angeles)