Situation
After retaining Matrix to perform a valuation of F.L. Roberts and Company, Inc. (“F.L. Roberts” or the “Company”), the majority shareholder of F.L. Roberts decided it was time to sell the Company’s assets in order to retire and diversify the family wealth.

The Company, headquartered in Springfield, MA, owned and operated a chain of 26 convenience stores and retail fuel outlets, 22 Golden Nozzle car washes, and 9 Jiffy Lube quick lube facilities primarily in the greater Springfield, MA and Hartford, CT markets .

The Company also operated a wholesale motor fuels distribution business and a fuels transportation business in these markets, which one of the Company’s principals desired to acquire from the Company and continue to grow.

Objective
To customize, execute, and complete a sale process that would allow F.L. Roberts to realize maximum value for their convenience store, car wash, and Jiffy Lube assets.

Solution
Matrix provided valuation guidance to F.L. Roberts’ shareholders and then structured a multifaceted sale process designed to maximize value by driving competition for each of the Company’s divisions. In order to effectively market the businesses, it was important to position the Company’s rewards program that was utilized in all of its divisions in a way that allowed the program to continue post-transaction, even if the businesses were sold to different buyers.

Matrix contacted a select group of regional and national petroleum marketers/convenience store operators, car wash companies, Jiffy Lube franchisees, and private equity groups. Prospective buyers could submit offers for all of the convenience store, car wash, and Jiffy Lube assets together as one portfolio or offers for one or more of the divisions.

Matrix received several competing offers for the entire portfolio, the convenience store division, the combined convenience store and car wash divisions, and the Jiffy Lube division.

After management meetings with certain groups, a second round of offers, and further negotiations with each party, Nouria Energy Corporation was selected to acquire the convenience store and car wash divisions and Atlantic Coat Enterprises, LLC was chosen to purchase the Jiffy Lube assets.

Matrix assisted in the negotiations of the purchase agreements and helped coordinate the closings. Both transactions closed in October 2016.