Phase Three Star LLC acquired Ponder Enterprises Inc. and Ponder Brothers LLC, a client of Generational Capital Markets. The deal closed on December 26, 2018.

Ponder Enterprises Inc. and Ponder Brothers LLC, headquartered in Donaldsonville, Georgia, operate 38 Hardee’s restaurant locations throughout Georgia, northern Florida and Alabama. Brothers Dan and Ernest Ponder founded the company in 1983 and each had 25 years of franchise restaurant business experience.

The buyer, Phase Three Star LLC, is the largest Hardee’s franchisee in Florida. Based in Tampa, Phase Three is also a Wingstop franchisee. 

Generational Capital Markets Managing Director Chris Heckert, with support from VP Julio Dominguez, successfully closed the deal. Generational Equity Senior Managing Director Joe Van Voorhis established the initial relationship with Ponder.

“This was an exciting acquisition to be a part of,” said Heckert.

“Both groups were well-known leaders in the QSR space and the combination will make for a significant player in the industry and region.”

Generational Capital Markets’ experience and expertise have been at the heart of many successfully completed transactions over the years, allowing both sides to achieve the result they are seeking.