Self-study: Industry Franchising

Based on live webinar held June 16, 2020 during the AIRA AC Virtual Series.

The last 15 years have seen an incredible expansion in the franchise space due to a multitude of factors. As a result, there has been an expansion of the need for experienced turnaround and restructuring professionals in this space. This program discusses the current status of the space as it relates to litigation, bankruptcy, sales, turnarounds, and lending. Specifically, it explores the complex nature of a distressed situation that involves a powerful party getting a seat at the negotiating table - the franchisor.

Learning Objectives

After completing this program, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the dynamics of the early COVID 19 shelter-in-place requirements on franchise industry businesses;
2. Distinguish between pre-COVID 19 and early COVID 19 restructuring drivers inthe franchise industry; and
3. Obtain an overview of the progress made in the franchise industry during theearly stages of the COVID 19 period.

Instructors

Brandon Karpeles, CIRA (Managed Assets Professional, Wintrust)—Brandon Karpeles is a managed assets professional at Wintrust Financial Corporation. He has been with the organization for 14 years and has spent 11 of those in managed assets. He graduated from Indiana University in 2006 with a Business degree in both Law and Entrepreneurship. He obtained his CIRA in 2018 and has been involved with the AIRA since then. He has done hundreds of workouts over most all asset classes and has been involved in countless out of court restructurings and liquidations, bankruptcies, and alternative financing scenarios.

Jonathan Tibus (Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal)—Jonathan Tibus is a Managing Director with Alvarez & Marsal who specializes in developing, evaluating, and implementing performance improvement and restructuring plans for underperforming companies, largely in the restaurant, retail and hospitality sectors. He has over 20 years of experience in interim management and financial advisory roles and has managed numerous in-court and out-of-court restructuring efforts.

Jeffrey Wegner (Kutak Rock)—Jeffrey works with clients in the Midwest and throughout the country. He has appeared in business bankruptcy cases in more than 40 jurisdictions on behalf of the firm’s clients. Jeffrey has worked with members of the firm’s bankruptcy group to build a national bankruptcy practice capable of serving the firm’s clients through its strategically located 18 offices. As a result, he has built deep relationships with banks and institutional lenders, REIT’s, special servicers and lessors that have needs for bankruptcy representation throughout the United States. Jeffrey has unique experience and expertise in representing lenders to franchise businesses, REIT landlords, and agricultural lenders.