NBA Teams Up With Franchises
Don’t be surprised if you see Ray Allen knocking down an iced coffee in the Boston Celtics locker room this season.
Two leading brands in their categories have teamed up with professional basketball: Wingstop signed a deal to be the official wings of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics have an agreement with coffee- and- doughnut franchisor, Dunkin’ Donuts.
The three-year agreement gives the Texas-based Wingstop name and logo rights for use in advertising materials, placement on the Lakers’ website, and promotional display mentions on the Staples Center LED signage during all Lakers regular season home games. The Lakers are 16-time World Champions, and the reigning NBA champs.
Meanwhile Dunkin’ has renewed its sponsorship of the Celtics pro basketball team through the 2012-13 NBA season. The Canton, Massachusetts-based chain will partner with the 17-time World Champion Celtics for promotional and charitable efforts.
Equity Fund Buys Dwyer Group
The Dwyer Group has been sold to an investor group led by TZP Capital Partners I for an estimated $150 million.
TZP, a New York-based private equity fund a private equity fund, was expected to close the deal by the end of 2010.
Dina Dwyer-Owens, chairwoman and CEO of The Dwyer Group, will remain in place along with the entire executive team.
The Dwyer Group, based in Waco, Texas, a is a holding company for seven residential and commercial franchise service brands including: Aire Serv, Glass Doctor, The Grounds Guys, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Electric, Mr. Rooter and Rainbow International.
The franchise network includes over 1,500 franchisees operating in the United States and seven other countries.
7-Eleven To Fill Up on Florida ExxonMobil’s
7-Eleven has agreed to buy 183 ExxonMobil’s in Florida, and if all goes well the deal should close by early 2011, pending approval.
Included in the acquisition is a combination of company- and- dealer-operated sites located in Orlando, southwest Florida, Palm Beach and Broward County, according to a company release. 7-Eleven will remodel the locations over the next two years.
Of the 183 sites, the majority of locations will be rebranded as 7-Eleven operations, and all will retain the Mobil gasoline brand, allowing customers to continue to purchase Mobil-brand fuel and use the ExxonMobil credit card. Currently, 7-Eleven operates and franchises 610 stores in Florida.
