2024 DealMaker Series | DE&I Special Edition - Food and Beverage Deal Market

Jimmy Frischling
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Branded Hospitality Ventures

Jimmy Frischling is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Branded Hospitality Ventures. Jimmy is an entrepreneur and experienced capital and financial markets professional with a 30-year history of working in the financial services, capital markets and hospitality industries. Prior to being a founding member of Branded, in 2008 Jimmy co-founded NewOak Capital, a financial advisory, capital markets and asset management firm. Prior to NewOak Capital, Jimmy led several businesses at a number of firms, including most recently Société General and Fortis Securities. Jimmy’s other business activities include being a principal and director at Oak Branch Advisors, a software and services company focused on middle-office administrative services for the private credit markets.  He’s also a principal and advisor to a trio of municipal bond data and technology companies, including Triangle Park Capital Markets Data (“TPCMD”), Granite State Data Group (“GSDG”) and Municipal Bond Information Services (“MBIS”).  Jimmy is an independent director at Tetragon Credit Income Fund II and III, and Tetragon Credit Partners Opportunity Fund, a multi-billion-dollar asset management firm in the structured credit markets.

Jimmy holds his Series 79, 7, 24 and 63 licenses with FINRA, a B.A. from Wesleyan University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

For the past 6 years Frank has been a Senior Vice President, Business Development Officer in IDB Bank’s Commercial Banking Group, with a focus on the lower middle market.  A commercial lender with over 25 + years of experience, prior to IDB, Frank was a Principal at Medallion Capital, a lower middle market mezzanine fund, and previously held positions with AmSouth Capital and CIT.  Frank received his degree from Manhattan College.   

David Strasser
Managing Director
SWaN & Legend Venture Partners

David Strasser is a Managing Director of SWaN & Legend Venture Partners (SWaN).  Mr. Strasser has invested in and acted as a board member and advisor to multiple restaurant companies including CAVA, Jose Andres Group and @pizza.  He has advised multiple restaurant management teams on ways to improve, scale and exit their businesses.  He has also worked with other consumer and retail businesses in a related capacity.  Prior to being a investor, Mr.  Strasser covered the consumer and retail industries as an equity research analyst at Salomon Brothers, Citigroup, Bank of America Securities and Janney Montgomery Scott, for nearly two decades.

Mr. Strasser currently is on the board of Trustees of the Earl Monroe New Renaissance Charter School in the Bronx, NY.   He previously served on the board of Seeds of Peace, a conflict resolution organization that leads various cross cultural initiatives, including an annual summer experience in Maine where Israelis, Palestinians, Egyptians, Jordanians, Afghani, Indian and Pakistani teenagers are brought together to foster cultural and religious understandings of their respective worlds. Prior to Wall Street, Mr. Strasser was a franchisee of I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt in New York City. He was also an analyst in the M&A department at Lehman Brothers following his undergraduate studies.

Mr. Strasser earned a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration from Cornell University and an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.

Josh Halpern
CEO
Big Chicken

Josh Halpern is the Chief Executive Officer for Big Chicken. Josh is a dynamic, partnership-focused, thought leader with a robust career in streamlining efficiency, driving innovation, building diverse engaged teams, and growing economic results across the CPG, retail, and restaurant verticals. He was named to Nation Restaurant News’ Top 100 Most Influential CEOs and to Fast Casual Magazine’s 2022 and 2023 Top Movers and Shakers List.

Before this role, Josh served as the Chief Sales Officer for Buffalo-based FIFCO USA, the 8th largest US brewing company, where he was responsible for commercial operations and building top and bottom-line results for Off-Premise, On-Premise, and company-owned brewpubs. Prior, Josh led the Anheuser-Busch InBev, On-Premise and Small Format channels in the US, and Shopper Marketing globally. During his tenure at Anheuser-Busch InBev, Josh built the strategy for licensed, branded experiential zones leading to 46 restaurants and bars in stadiums, airports, and hotels, including the iconic “Beer Park by Budweiser” at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. He was also responsible for Anheuser-Busch’s pilots in the QSR space resulting in piloted distribution at Starbucks, and a beer-as-ingredient Budweiser Beer Cheeseburger at Hardees/Carl’s Jr. Halpern has held roles at Reckitt Benckiser, Just Born Candy, Clorox, and Procter and Gamble growing brands in 50+ categories.

Josh leads from a partnership-first perspective, unlocking growth for the company, suppliers, customers, and business partners. As a result, his teams have won “Vendor of the Year” honors from many restaurants and retailers including: Buffalo Wild Wings, Hilton, Twin Peaks, HMS Host, Centerplate, Hooters, Hard Rock Café, Outback Steakhouse, Murphy USA, Circle K and more. Halpern is known to incorporate his business and financial acumen while using big data to solve complex problems while focusing on efficiencies. He is a certified Six-Sigma Green Belt.

Josh believes in giving back to the industry. He currently sits on the boards of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Supplier Board, and Niagara University’s Food Marketing Center of Excellence. He also sits on the International Committee of the International Franchise Association. Prior, Josh has served on the boards for the International Foodservice Manufacturer’s Association (IFMA), and the National Restaurant Association’s Military Foundation. Halpern holds an MBA from Babson College and a BS from Cornell University. Josh and his wife are the proud parents of three amazing boys and live in the New York Metro Area.

September 17, 2023

February 22, 2024

May 16, 2024

 APRIL 30, 2024

July 24, 2024

DE&I

The ACG New York Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee serves as the center of influence across the NY Middle Market M&A community by creating greater awareness of the benefits of DEI and spearheading programming, networking opportunities, mentorship of underrepresented groups, and diverse membership recruitment efforts.

ACG New York's membership fully reflects the diversity of NYC and all members have an equal voice and influence on the M&A community and its activity.  ACG New York views diversity as an asset that enriches the bottom lines and lives of everyone involved.

These events and initiatives are steered by the ACG NY DE&I Committee. 

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