The Dwyer Group, a franchising company of trade service brands, has been acquired for the second time by The Riverside Co., a private equity fund with locations in North America, Europe and Asia. The deal with the global investment firm renews a collaboration between two growing and successful organizations. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Dwyer Group, based in Waco, Texas, serves as a holding company for seven residential and commercial franchise service brands including Rainbow International, which offers commercial restoration, home restoration and carpet cleaning services through over 400 locations worldwide. The company's total franchise network includes more than 1,600 franchisees operating in the U.S. and seven other countries. In addition to its franchise concepts, The Dwyer Group also owns and operates 35 full-service glass stores in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. Combined, the service brands account for almost $1 billion in annual system-wide revenues, according to the company.

Riverside first purchased The Dwyer Group in 2003, taking the company private and working with company management to accelerate growth through acquisitions of new brands, expanding facilities at corporate headquarters, and aggressive development of existing franchise brands.  After seven years of growth, the firm sold The Dwyer Group to TZP Group in 2010 where the franchise network and its revenues continued to thrive along with the respected profile of the service brands across the U.S. and around the world.  

The Riverside purchase transfers majority ownership from TZP back to Riverside along with a significant reinvestment from The Dwyer Group executive team, and an investment from each brand president within The Dwyer Group companies.

“We’re extremely excited to welcome The Dwyer Group back to The Riverside Company and to become involved once again with franchisees and associates dedicated to a strong Code of Values,” said Sarah Roth, a partner based at The Riverside Company’s Dallas office. “The executive team remains fully committed to the business, and The Dwyer Group service brands are well positioned for more expansion.”

“The Dwyer transaction has been a very successful one for TZP reflecting the very essence of our firm’s strategy of being the Partner of Choice for management teams,” said Sam Katz, managing partner for TZP. “We are very proud of our joint achievements in enhancing the franchisee value proposition and initiating exciting online and offline marketing initiatives. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Dina and the Dwyer team and watching them continue to succeed at building this special company.”

Calling TZP a tremendous partner for The Dwyer Group over the past three-and-a-half years, Dina Dwyer-Owens, executive chairwoman of The Dwyer Group, said the successful relationship set the stage for the next bold step forward. “I commend our talented and dedicated team members and their commitment to The Dwyer Group Code of Values that has served as our roadmap as we’ve traveled a journey of unprecedented growth.”

Mike Bidwell, CEO and president of The Dwyer Group, added, “By focusing on our core brands and service to our franchisees, we have enjoyed incredible success that continues to this very day, and that success has been noticed for all the right reasons.”

The entire executive team at The Dwyer Group will remain in place and will work with Riverside to advance the organization to the next level.

For more information, visit riversidecompany.com.