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WellBiz Brands, Inc. Poised for Healthy Growth With Acquisition By KSL Capital Partners, LLC
DENVER – WellBiz Brands, Inc., one of the largest health and wellness franchise organizations in the United States, is taking its flagship brands – Elements Massage™, Fitness Together® and FIT36™ – to the next level: the company announced today that it has been acquired by an affiliate of the private equity firm KSL Capital Partners, LLC. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
WellBiz and KSL will work collaboratively to strengthen the three brands’ presence through increased awareness and market share in the U.S. and Canada. Each headquartered in Colorado, the two companies share more than proximity to one another; they are both committed to enhancing lives through organizations that provide customized and targeted personal services that are membership-based.
"We've seen tremendous growth with our franchises and our projections for the next few years are even more exciting," says Jeff Jervik, CEO of WellBiz. "Our alignment with KSL comes at a perfect time when we can benefit from the resources it can provide to satisfy the growing demand from consumers for personal health and wellness services."
WellBiz has three complementary brands that position the organization for accelerated growth in the thriving $3.4 trillion wellness industry. The company is on target to open 40-50 new studios across all of its brands in 2015 – which includes entering the international market with Elements Massage studios in Canada – and has a strong forecast for 2016.
"We're excited to join with WellBiz in investing in health and wellness, and look forward to working with its management team," said Peter McDermott, partner at KSL Capital Partners, LLC. "As a firm that invests only in travel and leisure-related ventures, our experience and expertise in spa, fitness and membership-based businesses provides a unique partner to help WellBiz accelerate its growth plans while maintaining the service standards for which its brands have become well known.”
Each Elements Massage studio offers just one service: massage. Elements Massage receives some of the highest client satisfaction scores in the industry. The Elements Wellness Program™, a month-to-month membership program and a guarantee, The Elements Promise™, are built around therapeutic, handcrafted and personalized approaches to massage – The Elements Way®. Fitness Together provides private one-on-one training to develop a personalized fitness program that not only meets the client’s needs, but is also focused on results. Recently, WellBiz also introduced a new fitness concept that hits different segments of the fitness industry; FIT36 is a 36-minute, high intensity interval training (HIIT) workout. Each of WellBiz’s brands is uniquely different, but shares the same commitment to providing exceptional service to its clients.
For more information, please visit www.wellbizbrands.com and www.kslcapital.com.
ABOUT WELLBIZ BRANDS, INC.
WellBiz Brands, Inc. is headquartered in Highlands Ranch, Colo. and is one of the largest health and wellness companies in the United States. The company owns three separate franchise entities: Elements Therapeutic Massage, Inc., which franchises massage studios, providing custom therapeutic massage to meet clients’ individual needs; Fitness Together Franchise Corporation, which franchises one-on-one and semi-private personal training studios; and Fit 36, Inc., which franchises high intensity interval training studios, with workouts done as a group.
Elements Therapeutic Massage, Inc. began franchising in 2006 and has more than 200 Elements Massage™ locations in 34 states. Fitness TogetherFranchise Corporation began franchising in 1996 and has nearly 180 Fitness Together® locations across the United States. Fit 36, Inc. began franchising in 2014 and has a single FIT36™ location in downtown Denver.
For more information about Elements Massage™, visit ElementsMassage.com. For more information about Fitness Together®, visit FitnessTogether.com. For more information about FIT36™ visit FIT36fitness.com.
ABOUT KSL CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC
KSL is a private equity firm specializing in travel and leisure enterprises in five primary sectors: hospitality, recreation, clubs, real estate and travel services. KSL has offices in Denver, London and Stamford, Conn. Since 2006, KSL has completed more than 30 investments in the travel and leisure industry, with an aggregate transaction value in excess of $5 billion. KSL's current portfolio includes some of the premier properties in travel and leisure. In the United States, KSL owns the St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point, Calif., and a majority interest in the Miraval Group, the owner and operator of luxury spa and wellness properties. KSL also owns premier recreation businesses, including Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, two of the leading ski resorts in North America, and is the largest shareholder of ClubCorp, one of the world's largest owners of private golf and business clubs. In the United Kingdom, owns The Belfry in the West Midlands and the Village Urban Resorts chain. For more information, please visit kslcapital.com.
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KSL Capital Partners, LLC Announces the Sale of Malmaison and Hotel du Vin
DENVER – KSL Capital Partners, LLC (KSL), a leading private equity firm, announces that an affiliate of KSL completed the sale of the Malmaison and Hotel du Vin hospitality chains to an affiliate of Frasers Hospitality UK Holdings Limited.
Malmaison and Hotel du Vin will join Frasers Hospitality’s three award-winning serviced residence offerings – the Gold-Standard Fraser Suites, Fraser Place and Fraser Residence – as well as Modena by Fraser, a modern lifestyle brand targeted at young executives constantly on the go, and Capri by Fraser, a design-led hotel residence aimed at the millennial business traveler.
“We are grateful to have been a part of Malmaison and Hotel du Vin,” said Coley Brenan, a principal of KSL. “Each property is physically unique, but each share the common traits of exceptional service and wonderful food and beverage offerings. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the employees of Malmaison and Hotel du Vin, we have no doubt they will continue to be two of the preeminent hotel brands in the UK.”
Each founded in 1994, Malmaison and Hotel du Vin are a unique collection of premier boutique hotels located throughout the UK. Malmaison is known for its cutting edge designs in historic buildings, and consists of 13 boutique hotels throughout the UK that “dare to be different.” Luxurious and quintessentially British, Hotel du Vin consists of 16 boutique lifestyle hotels throughout the UK with a concentration in cathedral and university towns. KSL invested significantly in each brand over the past several years, renovating existing properties and expanding into new locations.
ABOUT KSL CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC
KSL is a private equity firm specializing in travel and leisure enterprises in five primary sectors: hospitality, recreation, clubs, real estate and travel services. KSL has offices in London; Denver, Colo.; and Stamford, Conn. Since 2006, KSL has completed more than 30 investments in the travel and leisure industry, with an aggregate transaction value in excess of five billion U.S. dollars. KSL’s current portfolio includes some of the premier properties in travel and leisure. In the United States, KSL owns a majority interest in the Miraval Group, the owner and operator of luxury spa and wellness properties, and the St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point, Calif. KSL also owns premier recreation businesses, including Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, two of the leading ski resorts in North America, and is the largest shareholder of ClubCorp, one of the world’s largest owners of private golf and business clubs. In the United Kingdom, KSL owns The Belfry in the West Midlands and the Village Urban Resorts chain. For more information, please visit www.kslcapital.com.
ABOUT FRASERS HOSPITALITY
Frasers Hospitality, the hospitality arm of Frasers Centrepoint Limited, is a global hospitality operator with Gold-Standard serviced and hotel residences across Europe, North Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East and Australia.
Frasers Hospitality commits to “anticipates and exceeds the evolving needs of executive travelers through continuous innovation”, and providing its customers with the space, family and community away from home. Conceived with the lifestyle preferences of today’s discerning extended stay executive travelers in mind, Frasers Hospitality has three branded Gold-Standard serviced residences offerings – Fraser Suites, Fraser Place and Fraser Residence, a second-tier brand, Modena by Fraser, and a design-led hotel residence brand, Capri by Fraser. For more information on Frasers Hospitality, please visit www.frasershospitality.com.
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KSL Capital Partners, LLC Announces the Sale of The James Royal Palm
DENVER -KSL Capital Partners, LLC (KSL) announces that an affiliate of KSL has sold The James Royal Palm resort in South Beach, Fla. to Chesapeake Lodging Trust (NYSE:CHSP) for a purchase price of $278 million, or approximately $707,000 per key. KSL is a U.S. private equity firm dedicated to investing in travel and leisure businesses.
“We are grateful to have been a part of the long history of The James Royal Palm,” said Bernie Siegel, a principal of KSL. “For nearly four years, we were able to transform it into one of the preeminent hotels in Miami, thanks in large part to the tireless efforts of the Royal Palm staff.”
KSL originally acquired the Royal Palm in 2011 and completed an extensive renovation and repositioning of the storied property in 2011 and 2012. The fully renovated property was reintroduced to the market in December 2012.
ABOUT KSL CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC
KSL is a private equity firm specializing in travel and leisure enterprises in five primary sectors: hospitality, recreation, clubs, real estate and travel services. KSL has offices in London; Denver, Colo.; and Stamford, Conn. Since 2006, KSL has completed more than 30 investments in the travel and leisure industry, with an aggregate transaction value in excess of five billion dollars. KSL’s current portfolio includes some of the premier properties in travel and leisure. In the United States, KSL owns a majority interest in the Miraval Group, the owner and operator of luxury spa and wellness properties, and the St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point, Calif. KSL also owns premier recreation businesses, including Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, two of the leading ski resorts in North America, and is the majority owner of ClubCorp, one of the world’s largest owners of private golf and business clubs. In the United Kingdom, KSL owns The Belfry in the West Midlands, the Malmaison and Hotel du Vin hospitality chains and the Village Urban Resort chain. For more information, please visit www.kslcapital.com.
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KSL Capital Partners, LLC Acquires Village Urban Resorts
New ownership plans significant brand investment and hotel expansion program in UK
DENVER – De Vere Group and KSL Capital Partners, LLC (KSL), are pleased to announce that an affiliate of KSL has acquired Village Urban Resorts (Village) from De Vere Group. KSL, headquartered in Denver, Colorado with an office in London, is a U.S. private equity firm dedicated to investing in travel and leisure businesses.
With 25 existing properties and three new properties under development, the transaction will further Village’s position as a leading hotel and lifestyle company within the UK. KSL is committed to growing the business by both reinvigorating the existing portfolio and expanding into new markets. Three new Village locations are scheduled to open shortly in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Village is known for providing an array of amenities for business and leisure travelers, its members and the community, from hotel accommodations and health and fitness centers to business services, dining options and meeting and event space.
“Village occupies a unique position in the UK market because of all it has to offer consumers,” said Coley Brenan, a principal at KSL. “With a very strong following and thousands of loyal members, we believe Village has tremendous potential for future growth. We are very pleased to add Village to KSL’s portfolio of investments in the UK.”
Gary Davis, who previously served as CEO of Malmaison and Hotel du Vin, will serve as CEO of Village. Davis previously oversaw the expansion of Village from 2007 to 2011 and the global expansion programs at Hard Rock Café and Planet Hollywood.
For more information, please visit www.village-hotels.co.uk.
ABOUT VILLAGE
Founded in 1995, Village Urban Resorts has 25 locations throughout the UK, with an additional three properties scheduled to open shortly. The company caters to both locals and travelers alike through its extensive food and beverage offerings and health and fitness club amenities. Each of the company’s properties was designed to serve multiple customers across multiple day parts with (i) a modern hotel; (ii) food and beverage outlets that consist of one or more pub-style restaurants and a Starbucks; (iii) extensive meeting and events space, including a banqueting room for up to 200 people; and (iv) large, comprehensive health and fitness facilities. For more information, please visit www.village-hotels.co.uk.
ABOUT KSL CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC
KSL is a private equity firm specializing in travel and leisure enterprises in five primary sectors: hospitality, recreation, clubs, real estate and travel services. KSL has offices in London; Denver, Colorado; and Stamford, Connecticut. KSL’s current portfolio includes some of the premier properties in travel and leisure. In the UK, KSL owns The Belfry in the West Midlands and the Malmaison and Hotel du Vin hospitality chains. In the United States, KSL owns The James Royal Palm, Miraval Resort and St. Regis Monarch Beach. KSL also owns premier recreation businesses, including Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, two of the leading ski resorts in North America; and is the majority owner of ClubCorp, one of the world’s largest owners of private golf and business clubs. For more information, please visit www.kslcapital.com.
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KSL Capital Partners, Revolution Places Join Forces to Expand Miraval
WASHINGTON, DC and DENVER, CO (June 23, 2014) -Revolution Places (Revolution) and KSL Capital Partners, LLC (KSL) today announced that they have entered into an agreement to jointly own the world-renowned Miraval Resort & Spa, headquartered in Tucson, Arizona. Together, KSL and Revolution will seek to expand Miraval from its current Tucson location to new destinations in the US, Europe and elsewhere.
“For many years, we have been working to grow Miraval, to bring it to new locations and new people. Partnering with KSL – one of the most accomplished resort and spa investors in the world – allows us to accelerate these efforts, build on our success in Tucson, and take Miraval to new locations around the country and the world,” said Steve Case, Chairman of Revolution.
“Miraval is a breathtaking place, not only because of its extraordinary setting in the high Sonoran Desert, but also because of its groundbreaking approach to the experiences it offers its guests. Miraval is a true pioneer in spa and wellness. There is no other place like it. We are thrilled to join forces with Revolution in overseeing this resort, ” added Mike Shannon, Managing Director of KSL.
Miraval Resort & Spa in Tucson is a wellness luxury spa resort with a mission of “opening eyes, minds and hearts.” Miraval's focus on sustainable living, casita-style guest accommodations and the spectacular new Life in Balance Spa contribute to it being recognized as one of the world’s top destinations by SpaFinder, Travel+Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler year after year.
About KSL Capital Partners, LLC
KSL is a private equity firm specializing in travel and leisure investments in five primary sectors: hospitality, recreation, clubs, real estate and travel services. KSL has offices in Denver, Colorado, Stamford, Connecticut and London, England. In addition to the property being acquired, KSL’s current portfolio includes some of the premier properties in travel and leisure. In the United Kingdom, funds advised by KSL own The Belfry in the West Midlands and the Malmaison and Hotel du Vin chains. In the United States, funds advised by KSL own The St. Regis Monarch Beach, The James Royal Palm, a majority interest in ClubCorp, one of the world’s largest owners of private golf and business clubs, and Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, two of the leading ski resorts in North America. For more information, please see kslcapital.com.
About Revolution Places
Revolution Places invests in unique real estate and hospitality opportunities, creating a new model for travel and tourism that promotes and encourages a healthy lifestyle and establishes a consumer brand that reflects those values. Revolution invests in differentiated properties that have significant long-term development potential, and also in branded, lifestyle hospitality companies that have the opportunity to scale. Revolution Places is a division of Revolution LLC, the Washington, DC-based investment firm founded by Steve Case in 2005. For more information, visit revolution.com/places.
About Miraval Resort & Spa
Situated in the warm shade of the Santa Catalina Mountains in northern Tucson, AZ, on 400 acres of idyllic land, Miraval is a top-rated all-inclusive destination resort and spa dedicated to helping guests live life in the moment. Since 1995 the property has been consistently ranked as one of the world’s top destination spas by Travel + Leisure, SpaFinder and Condé Nast Traveler. Offering an array of dynamic growth and development programs, one-of-a-kind, luxurious spa treatments, authentic, flavorful and healthful cuisine as well as an expert staff of renowned wellbeing specialists, Miraval helps to open eyes, minds and hearts. In 2012, the resort unveiled the Miraval Life in Balance Spa with Clarins, a state-of-the-art oasis designed to transform guests both physically and emotionally. For more information visit miravalresorts.com