LOS ANGELES, Oct. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (“LLCP”), a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, announced today that it has partnered with management to complete their investment in Timonium, MD-based SH Franchising, LLC, (“Senior Helpers”). Founded in 2002, Senior Helpers is a leading franchisor of private pay, professional in-home care for elderly individuals. Through its network of over 270 franchised locations in 39 states, Senior Helpers provides: (i) personal care assistance with eating, bathing, dressing and transferring, (ii) companion care assistance with shopping, light housekeeping, meal preparation and medication reminders and (iii) customized disease management and care programs for clients with Alzheimer’s and other forms of Dementia through its unique Senior GEMS program.

Senior Helpers is the second investment from Levine Leichtman Capital Partners SBIC Fund, L.P., a $225 million private equity fund. According to Lauren Leichtman, Co-Founder and CEO of LLCP, “Senior Helpers has experienced tremendous growth since inception. With its national network of dedicated franchisees and strong nationwide brand name recognition, the company is uniquely positioned to benefit from the continued strong growth in the in-home elderly care industry. We are excited to partner with two great entrepreneurs in CEO Peter Ross and President Tony Bonacuse as well as the rest of the Senior Helpers management team. We look forward to the continued growth of the business.”

Peter Ross and Tony Bonacuse will retain significant ownership in the company and will continue to lead the company in their current roles. Regarding the transaction, Peter Ross commented, “I am very excited about the partnership with LLCP. We are confident that their long history of successfully investing in franchised businesses will significantly benefit Senior Helpers and its franchisees.” Tony Bonacuse added, “As Senior Helpers moves into its next phase of growth, having a partner with the financial means and wherewithal like LLCP to help execute on our collective vision for the future was particularly attractive to us. Both Peter and I expect this partnership to contribute meaningfully to the continued growth of our brand.”

Senior Helpers was advised by McLean Group, LLC. Senior debt financing was provided by Madison Capital.

About Levine Leichtman Capital Partners
Levine Leichtman Capital Partners is a Los Angeles, California-based investment firm that manages approximately $5.0 billion of institutional investment capital through private equity partnerships, distressed debt and leveraged loan funds. LLCP is currently making new investments through Levine Leichtman Capital Partners IV, L.P., Levine Leichtman Capital Partners SBIC Fund, L.P., and Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Deep Value Fund II, L.P. Prior investments by Levine Leichtman Capital Partners include CiCi’s Pizza, Hackney Ladish, Jon Douglas Real Estate Group, Overhill Farms and Quizno’s. For more information about Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, please visit www.llcp.com.

SOURCE Levine Leichtman Capital Partners