Neighborly Wins 2015 Franchise Times Dealmakers Award

Riverside Company, Five Star Painting transactions earn company top recognition

WACO, Texas (February 10, 2015) – Neighborly, formerly Dwyer Group, one of the world’s largest franchising companies of trade service brands, has been named a winner in the third annual Franchise Times Dealmakers awards. The awards recognize the top players behind major mergers and acquisitions in franchising.

Neighborly, one of 10 winners this year, was specifically honored for the significant reacquisition of the company by The Riverside Company and the purchase and addition of Five Star Painting to its list of superior service brands.

“These dealmakers are smart, relentless and creative in driving capital toward the best companies in franchising,” said Beth Ewen, managing editor of Franchise Times, about the winners. All Dealmakers will be profiled in the April issue of the magazine, highlighting growth tactics and strategies that are helping these companies expand.

“We are honored to be recognized for the incredible growth and success we’ve achieved over the last year,” said Mike Bidwell, CEO and President of Neighborly. “It signals the strength of our industry and the confidence of our investors as we set the stage for significant franchise development across our service brands on both national and international levels.”

In August 2014, Neighborly was reacquired by Riverside, a private equity fund with locations in North America, Europe and Asia, renewing collaboration between two growing and successful organizations. The Riverside purchase transferred majority ownership back to the global investment firm along with a significant reinvestment from The Neighborly executive team, and an investment from each brand president within The Neighborly companies.

The following month, Rainbow International – the very first service brand for Neighborly – reacquired its Germany Master License to speed development abroad.

And in January of 2015, Neighborly also acquired Five Star Painting, a commercial and residential painting franchise with 77 locations across the United States and Canada. Five Star Painting became the eighth service brand for The Neighborly, expanding the overall network to more than 1,700 franchisees operating in the U.S. and seven other countries.

Bidwell will accept the Dealmakers award on behalf of Neighborly at a special luncheon April 21 during the Franchise Finance & Growth Conference presented by Franchise Times, April 20-22 in Las Vegas.

About Neighborly®:

Neighborly, based in Waco, Texas, is a holding company of eight franchise businesses, each selling and supporting a different franchise under the following service marks: Aire Serv®, Glass Doctor®, The Grounds Guys®, Five Star Painting®, Mr. Appliance®, Mr. Electric®, Mr. Rooter® (Drain Doctor® in the UK and Portugal), and Rainbow International®. Collectively, these independent franchise concepts offer customers worldwide a broad base of residential and commercial services. In addition, Neighborly® operates glass shops in New England under the Portland Glass® brand name. The Neighborly is a portfolio company of The Riverside Company®, a global private equity firm. The firm’s international portfolio includes more than 75 companies. More information on The Neighborly, or its franchise concepts, is available at www.dwyergroup.com.

Neighborly is also on Twitter at @DwyerGroup.