CIT Serves as Financial Advisor in Sale of Massage Envy
Tue May 13, 2008 8:30am EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(Business Wire)--
Edgeview Partners, a CIT company, today announced that Massage
Envy Limited LLC, a national franchisor of massage clinics, was
acquired by Natural Wellness USA, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
the Essel Group headquartered in Mumbai, India. Terms of the
transaction were not disclosed.
Edgeview served as the exclusive financial advisor to Massage Envy
during the sale. Prior to its purchase by Natural Wellness USA,
Massage Envy was privately owned.
"It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to help find a partner
for Massage Envy, an exciting company with great growth prospects,"
said Drew Quartapella, Managing Director at Edgeview Partners. "In
Natural Wellness, Massage Envy is getting a strong partner with a
singular focus on promoting healthy lifestyles that will help support
Massage Envy's core franchise and broaden its product offering."
Massage Envy founder and Chief Executive Officer John Leonesio
will remain with the company as a corporate director. David Humphrey,
president of Natural Wellness USA, will take over as Massage Envy CEO,
while continuing in his current role. Massage Envy Chief Operating
Officer Dave Crisalli will remain in his current position, with
expanded responsibilities as leader of the Massage Envy executive
team.
"Edgeview Partners helped the Massage Envy management team
evaluate our alternatives and consummate a transaction with a
strategic partner who will expand our business while allowing me to
achieve my personal objectives," said Mr. Leonesio. "We are excited
about Massage Envy's business prospects with Natural Wellness and look
forward to exploring new ways to promote healthy, natural living for
consumers."
Securities and investment banking services were provided through
CIT Capital Securities LLC, an affiliate of Edgeview Partners.
Individuals interested in receiving future updates on CIT via
e-mail can register at newsalerts.cit.com.
About Massage Envy
Based in Scottsdale, Ariz., Massage Envy has 418 clinics in
operation and over 350 additional clinics in development. The company
has largely defined the franchised market in the fast-growing, $10
billion-plus domestic massage therapy industry, offering affordable
massages at convenient locations with flexible hours. Founded in 2002,
the Massage Envy franchise has grown rapidly by offering professional
and affordable massage therapy services to consumers with busy
lifestyles. Massage Envy offers a wide variety of treatments to
customers who can purchase monthly memberships or pay as they go.
About Natural Wellness USA
Natural Wellness USA is best known for its primary consumer brand,
Veria (http://www.veria.com), under which it operates the Veria TV television
network of original wellness programming, Veria Wellness Centers that
offer wellness spa services and products, yoga and other
classes/seminars and Veria.com, a website dedicated to information on
the natural wellness lifestyle and a major online shopping destination
for wellness products. Natural Wellness USA is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Essel Group. The Essel Group is an India-based
multi-billion dollar conglomerate encompassing television networks,
cable systems, satellite communications, theme parks and one of the
world's largest packaging companies.
Tue May 13, 2008 8:30am EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(Business Wire)--
Edgeview Partners, a CIT company, today announced that Massage
Envy Limited LLC, a national franchisor of massage clinics, was
acquired by Natural Wellness USA, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
the Essel Group headquartered in Mumbai, India. Terms of the
transaction were not disclosed.
Edgeview served as the exclusive financial advisor to Massage Envy
during the sale. Prior to its purchase by Natural Wellness USA,
Massage Envy was privately owned.
"It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to help find a partner
for Massage Envy, an exciting company with great growth prospects,"
said Drew Quartapella, Managing Director at Edgeview Partners. "In
Natural Wellness, Massage Envy is getting a strong partner with a
singular focus on promoting healthy lifestyles that will help support
Massage Envy's core franchise and broaden its product offering."
Massage Envy founder and Chief Executive Officer John Leonesio
will remain with the company as a corporate director. David Humphrey,
president of Natural Wellness USA, will take over as Massage Envy CEO,
while continuing in his current role. Massage Envy Chief Operating
Officer Dave Crisalli will remain in his current position, with
expanded responsibilities as leader of the Massage Envy executive
team.
"Edgeview Partners helped the Massage Envy management team
evaluate our alternatives and consummate a transaction with a
strategic partner who will expand our business while allowing me to
achieve my personal objectives," said Mr. Leonesio. "We are excited
about Massage Envy's business prospects with Natural Wellness and look
forward to exploring new ways to promote healthy, natural living for
consumers."
Securities and investment banking services were provided through
CIT Capital Securities LLC, an affiliate of Edgeview Partners.
Individuals interested in receiving future updates on CIT via
e-mail can register at newsalerts.cit.com.
About Massage Envy
Based in Scottsdale, Ariz., Massage Envy has 418 clinics in
operation and over 350 additional clinics in development. The company
has largely defined the franchised market in the fast-growing, $10
billion-plus domestic massage therapy industry, offering affordable
massages at convenient locations with flexible hours. Founded in 2002,
the Massage Envy franchise has grown rapidly by offering professional
and affordable massage therapy services to consumers with busy
lifestyles. Massage Envy offers a wide variety of treatments to
customers who can purchase monthly memberships or pay as they go.
About Natural Wellness USA
Natural Wellness USA is best known for its primary consumer brand,
Veria (http://www.veria.com), under which it operates the Veria TV television
network of original wellness programming, Veria Wellness Centers that
offer wellness spa services and products, yoga and other
classes/seminars and Veria.com, a website dedicated to information on
the natural wellness lifestyle and a major online shopping destination
for wellness products. Natural Wellness USA is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Essel Group. The Essel Group is an India-based
multi-billion dollar conglomerate encompassing television networks,
cable systems, satellite communications, theme parks and one of the
world's largest packaging companies.