C SQUARED ADVISORS - Key Persons
An accomplished financial professional, Brent has a wide range of experience and expertise providing sell-side and buy-side advisory services, succession planning, and financial solutions to closely held businesses and middle-market corporate clients. Brent's background as both an advisor and industry professional gives him a greater understanding of all aspects of his client's businesses. Prior to joining C Squared, Brent spent 5 years at The Wendy's Company in management roles within the finance organization. In his time at Wendy's, Brent assisted with the acquisition and disposition of corporate and franchised restaurants, including building comprehensive financial models, leading due diligence efforts, and tax structuring. Brent also assisted with the tax structuring and diligence in conjunction with multiple corporate reorganizations and debt recapitalizations, including a $2+ billion whole business securitization. In his most recent role, Brent led a lean six sigma team tasked with identifying savings opportunities related to G&A expenses and operational improvements for the company.
In addition to his time at Wendy's, Brent served as the Chief Financial Officer of a multi-unit automobile dealership group. During his time as CFO, Brent led the company through numerous cost savings initiatives including the creation of a consolidated shared services center for all finance and human resource functions. He also led the company through the acquisition of multiple automobile dealerships. Having first-hand transaction experience, Brent has an appreciation and understanding for the work and all the moving parts that go into a successful transaction and the key roles everyone plays.
Brent began his career in public accounting where he worked for 5 years providing tax consulting and business advisory services. A graduate of Ohio University, Brent holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, Cum Laude, and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) in the State of Ohio.
A leader in the Restaurant Finance and Transaction industry for 28 years, Carty Davis has initiated and managed hundreds of innovative transactions involving thousands of restaurant locations. Ranging from large refranchising programs to small equity raises for emerging concepts, Carty has initiated new trends in industry financing and capitalization, with a focus on maximizing value for his clients. Carty is also a 16-year area developer and franchisee of Sports Clip controlling 70+ units in North Carolina.
An experienced and goal driven deal maker, Dan Connelly brings a wealth of experience to the C Squared team. With Dan's prior experience in accounting and finance and various roles as a member of the Dunkin' Brands team, Dan most recently excelled in M&A activity as Dunkin' Brands evolved into new markets and territories.
An experienced and goal driven deal maker, Dan brings a wealth of experience to the C Squared team. With Dan's prior experience in accounting and finance and various roles as a member of the Dunkin Brands team, Dan most recently excelled in M&A activity as Dunkin Brands evolved into new markets and territories.
Prior to joining C Squared, Dan spent 11 years at Joyal Capital Management (JCM) where he ran the Franchise Development division. During his tenure at JCM, Dan completed over 60 consulting engagements that produced over $500 million of restaurant M&A related closings and $750 million of successful debt placements. Dan's projects varied in nature as he provided advice on a full range of strategic transactions including mergers & acquisitions, sell-side and buy-side advisory services, leveraged buy-outs, joint ventures, strategic alliances, refinancings, debt placement, and other restructurings. As a direct result of Dan's leadership and transaction skills, JCM is a 2-time winner, 2014 and 2018, of the prestigious Franchise Times Dealmaker of the Year Award.
Prior to joining JCM, Dan spent 6 years at Dunkin' Brands on the business development and franchising teams. His past leadership in mergers & acquisitions at Dunkin' Brands included the facilitation of the purchase and sale activity of Dunkin' restaurants in New England and upstate New York. This process required leading more than 500 store transfers that involved store valuations, lease negotiations, lease assignments, valuation of rent streams and debt restructurings. Most importantly, Dan was able facilitate transactions between Dunkin' Brands and the franchisee to allow for a smooth transition and an ultimate closing that provided a value proposition for everyone involved.
Dan has formed long-term relationships with the Dunkin' franchisee community through his work with the Dunkin' Donuts Independent Franchise Organization (DDIFO), where he has served on the Board of Directors since 2009 and currently serves as its chairman.
Dan began his career in the Boston office of Ernst & Young where he spent 6 years in the audit and consulting divisions.
Dan holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from Babson College, Magna Cum Laude, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics/Accounting from the College of the Holy Cross and is Certified Public Accountant (inactive status) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
An experienced franchise development executive, Pat was responsible for the disposition of 1,200 U.S. and Canadian company restaurants for The Wendy's Company. As Director of Franchise Development at Wendy's, Pat excelled at balancing the interests of the franchisor with the demands and challenges of hundreds of franchisees. His understanding of franchisees' goals, objectives and trigger points for new investment, resulted in well-established, long-term relationships with several franchisees throughout the Wendy's system.
Peter DiFilippo is an accomplished, driven and value-added financial executive that brings a wealth of experience to C Squared having more than 25 years of expertise in the banking and financial industries. Prior to joining C Squared as a principal, Pete was a Senior Vice President and Market Leader at several well-known and reputable financial institutions including his most recent leadership roles at TD Bank and Santander in the Restaurant Finance Divisions, where he was hired to expand the franchise lending programs with Top Tier Brands including Dunkin, Wendy's, Burger King, Popeye's and others.
Tori Wagner has worked in a number of franchise lending leadership roles for notable banking institutions such as TD Bank and Santander Bank. She has strategically supported and guided high-performing, large-scale franchisees and franchisor leadership with brands such as Dunkin', McDonald's, Taco Bell and Wendy's, helping them navigate complex financial transactions. Previously, Wagner has managed successful client portfolios valued at more than $250 million, earning a reputation within the lending industry for her extraordinary analytical and client relationship-building skills.