MIAMI (April 7, 2014) – Bruce C. Rosetto, co-managing shareholder of the Boca Raton, Fla., office of international law firm Greenberg Traurig, led the firm’s legal team in representing longtime client J.A. International Investments of Boca Raton in connection with its recent acquisition of 25 restaurants in the New Mexico market that were previously owned by the franchisor The Wendy’s Company. Rosetto and his team also simultaneously facilitated the closing of a $28 million loan with Compass Bank, the proceeds of which will fund the acquisition and renovation of all the New Mexico franchises.
“This latest acquisition represents the next step in the continued expansion of J.A. International Investments, which has grown from two restaurants only five years ago to 67 today, with more growth already in the pipeline,” Rosetto said. “With every store creating between 25 and 40 new jobs, J.A. International Investments is driving economic growth and proving the value of small businesses when it comes to job creation in the United States. We look forward to working closely with this longtime client as it continues to grow its business.”
Greenberg Traurig’s Boca Raton-based team, led by Rosetto, included Real Estate Shareholder Marcia Langley and Corporate and Securities Of Counsel Batya Goodman. The deal represents the latest development in the continued expansion of J.A. International Investments, which now owns 62 Wendy’s restaurants, five Corner Bakery restaurants and various other restaurant brands in the U.S., Panama and Venezuela. Boca Raton-based J.A. International Investments is led by Venezuela natives Andres Garcia and Jhonny Mercado, who both immigrated to South Florida over the last eight years. The company is also exploring additional options to acquire financing for more restaurant acquisitions through the EB-5 immigration program, which grants visa to the U.S. for immigrants, in exchange for investing capital in U.S. job creation.
“Acquiring these new restaurants is a strategic move that will help solidify our position with The Wendy’s Company, who seeks to grow its brand under the auspices of proven, successful operators,” said Garcia, founder and manager of J.A. International Investments, a Greenberg Traurig client since 2008 “The legal counsel and support that we’ve received along the way from Bruce and his team at Greenberg Traurig has been critical to our success, and we look forward to continuing to rely on the firm as we continue to pursue the other opportunities in the horizon.”