FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chicagoland Sunbelt Announces Managing Partner for Sun Franchising

Arthur Whitman will be heading Chicagoland Sunbelt’s New Franchise Advisory Business

CHICAGO, IL – February 5, 2009 - Chicagoland Sunbelt, a leading business brokerage firm dedicated to helping individuals buy and sell businesses, announced that Arthur Whitman has been named Managing Partner for its new franchise advisory unit, Sun Franchising.

Chicagoland Sunbelt has traditionally advised buyers and sellers on business-for-sale transactions. Many of its business-for-sale deals involved franchised businesses, and, as a result, the company has decided to create a dedicated business unit devoted solely to working with entrepreneurs who are interested in opening new franchise operations with one of the many national franchisors currently represented by Sun Franchising.

"Franchising is an excellent way to start a business, and we are pleased to offer additional services to prospective buyers in this area," said Domenic Rinaldi, Managing Partner of Chicagoland Sunbelt. "We are especially excited to do so with the assistance of Art Whitman, a proven business operator and business innovator with a long track record of success."

In his new role, Whitman will work closely with prospective franchise buyers in the Chicagoland area who seek franchise opportunities that best match their financial and career goals. Sun Franchising has a set of proprietary methodologies that allow it to help franchise buyers choose the right franchise. The advice extends all the way from interest in purchasing a franchise to matching the buyer with the right concept.

“This is a natural extension for Chicagoland Sunbelt, one of the largest business brokerages in the country,” said Whitman. “I look forward to helping our clients match their interests and their backgrounds with the best possible franchise opportunities to meet their individual needs.”

The Sun Franchising division can help locate franchise opportunities for individuals of varying backgrounds and financial capabilities. There is no cost to prospective buyers for the detailed consultation services. Should a buyer go directly through the franchisor, the franchise fees are set and non-negotiable. For more information on Sun Franchising, visit http://www.sunfranchising.com . 

About Arthur Whitman

Whitman is a seasoned executive who brings more than 30 years of proven experience in the manufacturing and distribution sector, and has also successfully managed the acquisition and sale of several entities throughout his career. 

Whitman began his career in the Finance Department of Joseph T Ryerson, a steel service center company. He advanced to become Assistant Treasurer and Controller of the $2.5 billion organization by the end of his 16 year tenure with the organization. Whitman later served as Executive Vice President of a steel framing manufacturer in the Midwest, where he teamed with the President to facilitate the turnaround of the struggling company. 

“Art has a solid financial background, earning both his CPA and MBA, and practical managerial experience that will make him an invaluable asset to Chicagoland Sunbelt,” says Chicagoland Sunbelt Managing Partner Domenic Rinaldi, CBI. “We’re excited to have him on board with his experience in business sales, consulting and management.” 

About Chicagoland Sunbelt

Chicagoland Sunbelt is a business brokerage firm that focuses on helping people buy and sell businesses in Chicagoland and the surrounding Midwest. Having sold hundreds of businesses with its talented pool of brokers, Chicagoland Sunbelt specializes in a broad range of industries, including business services, distribution, food & beverage, franchises, personal services and retail. Its experienced team of M&A brokerage consultants also develop and execute comprehensive strategies designed to meet individual financial and non-financial goals. As a proud member of Sunbelt Midwest, which operates offices in Minnesota, Wisconsin & Illinois, Chicagoland Sunbelt is also part of Sunbelt’s worldwide network of 350 offices. For your next business purchase or sale, visit Chicagoland Sunbelt at www.chicagolandsunbelt.com.


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