RICHMOND, VA – November 10, 2015 – Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. (“Matrix”) announces the successful closing on the sale of Biscayne Petroleum, LLC and Everglades Petroleum, LLC (collectively the “Company”) to 7-Eleven, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, SEI Fuel Services, Inc. The Company, headquartered in Miami, FL, owns and operates convenience stores and supplies fuels throughout primarily Miami, Dade, Palm Beach and Broward counties. The Company’s assets, all of which are being sold as part of the transaction, consist of a mix of 102 high-volume company operated, commission marketer, lessee dealer and supply only stores, with the Company owning the vast majority of the real estate at the stores.
Both Biscayne Petroleum and Everglades Petroleum were formed in 2011 for the purpose of acquiring convenience stores and gas stations that were being sold by ExxonMobil Corporation. The Company is led by Carlos Fontecilla and Arturo Zizold. Mr. Fontecilla, whose entry into the industry began with the acquisition of a single gasoline service station in Miami in the late 1980’s, and Mr. Zizold, together managed a separate company in the industry at the time of the 2011 acquisitions. They both recognized the tremendous opportunity that the stores being sold by ExxonMobil had. Through those initial acquisitions and several smaller ones over the years, the Company achieved significant scale and market share within its markets.
Matrix provided merger and acquisition advisory services to the Company, which included valuation advisory, marketing of the Company through a customized, confidential, structured sale process, and negotiation of the transaction. The transaction was co-managed by Cedric Fortemps, Managing Director and Thomas Kelso, Managing Director and Head of the Downstream Energy & Retail Team. Vance Saunders, Director and Stephen Lynch, Senior Associate also advised on the transaction.
Mr. Fontecilla commented, “Matrix’s guidance and professionalism was extremely helpful in the parties achieving a positive outcome. Working with Tom Kelso, Cedric Fortemps and their team was instrumental in seeing this transaction through to the end.”
“We are very pleased to have worked with Cedric, Tom, Vance and Stephen on this transaction,” said Mr. Zizold, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. “Having to sell our company was a difficult decision. Yet, Matrix’s advisory work from start to finish was outstanding. We are proud of all that has been accomplished with their support, and from our employees and our dealer partners. We also are pleased to have 7-Eleven and SEI Fuels assume ownership of our sites.”
Mr. Fortemps commented, “We are honored to have advised Arturo and Carlos on this transaction. They have built a remarkable company in a very unique market and it was a pleasure working with them to achieve their goals and to ensure that its legacy, dealers and customers would be taken care of after their exit.” Mr. Kelso added, “While these were excellent assets when they were acquired from Exxon, Arturo and Carlos did a tremendous job solidifying and improving the performance in a very short period of time, which significantly improved their value.”
David Yates and Fernando Alonso of Hunton & Williams LLP served as legal counsel for Biscayne Petroleum, LLC and Everglades Petroleum, LLC.