We Are Guernsey Sonic
Guernsey Holdings is a private investment firm that owns and operates sonic restaurants throughout the united states. We are a collaborative team that believes in a culture of meritocracy, accountability, and high ethical standard.
Our Locations
Our Team
Mike, residing in Westlake Village, California, is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Guernsey Holdings, where he also serves as the Chairman of the investment committee. With a wealth of expertise spanning restaurant franchising, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial real estate, Mike brings over a decade of experience to his role. He plays a pivotal role in shaping the company's vision, culture, growth, and strategic partnerships.
Mike's hands-on approach is a source of pride for him, as it grants him intimate knowledge of the business. By actively involving himself in various aspects of the company's operations, he gains a deep understanding of its intricacies and nuances. This approach enables him to stay closely connected to the day-to-day activities and challenges faced by the organization.
Prior to his involvement with Guernsey Holdings, Mike established James Capital Advisors, Inc., a prominent commercial real estate brokerage firm specializing in facilitating the sale of commercial properties across the United States. During his tenure, he successfully orchestrated commercial transactions exceeding $7 billion, including over $4 billion in sale-leaseback transactions.
Educated at the Arygos School of Business and Economics, Mike's educational background has undoubtedly contributed to his professional success. Through his leadership and expertise, he continues to guide Guernsey Holdings towards achieving its objectives and fostering valuable relationships within the industry.
Greg assumes the crucial role of Chief Financial Officer at Guernsey Holdings. With nearly two decades of expertise in restaurant mergers and acquisitions, as well as financings, Greg brings a wealth of experience to the table. Throughout his career, he has successfully led numerous transactions, showcasing his exceptional skills in navigating the intricacies of the industry.
In his position as CFO, Greg will be entrusted with critical responsibilities such as financial planning and analysis, making capital allocation decisions, and driving corporate strategy. His astute financial acumen and strategic insights will play a pivotal role in shaping the financial landscape of Guernsey Holdings, ensuring its sustained growth and success.
Greg's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Virginia. Moreover, his commitment to professional excellence is demonstrated by his status as a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) charter holder. These qualifications highlight Greg's dedication to continuous learning and his ability to leverage his diverse skill set to make informed financial decisions.
With his extensive experience, educational background, and professional credentials, Greg is poised to contribute significantly to Guernsey Holdings' financial stability, growth, and overall strategic direction.
Ryan, residing in San Francisco, California, is a Managing Director at Guernsey Holdings and serves as a valuable member of the investment committee. His responsibilities encompass various crucial aspects of the organization, including corporate integrations, financial planning, budget management, overseeing the executive management team, and executing the organization's short and long-term goals.
Before joining Guernsey Holdings, Ryan laid the foundation of Oak Cap Ventures LLC, a private real estate investment, development, and asset management company. With a diverse portfolio of commercial properties spanning the nation, Ryan successfully navigated the intricacies of this sector. His experience in Oak Cap Ventures LLC equipped him with an acute understanding of investment strategies, property development, and efficient asset management.
Prior to his involvement with Oak Cap Ventures LLC, Ryan actively participated in the acquisition, disposition, and development processes in collaboration with an affiliated private equity group. This group owned and operated an impressive portfolio of 250 quick-service restaurants and a real estate portfolio with a valuation of $750 million. Ryan's contributions to these endeavors provided him with invaluable expertise and insights into the intricacies of the restaurant industry and real estate market.
Ryan's academic background includes graduating from The Fowler College of Business, where he honed his skills and knowledge in various business disciplines. As a resident of San Francisco, Ryan leverages his expertise and experiences to drive the success of Guernsey Holdings and contribute to the organization's growth and strategic initiatives.
Jacques is the President of Guernsey Sonic and is responsible for restaurant operations. He has over 20 years of experience in driving operational growth, leading full-scale start-up and turnaround efforts, spearheading major change initiatives and strengthening leading restaurant brands including Sonic, Pizza Hut, WingStreet, Yum Brands! and Inspire Brands. Prior to joining Guernsey Holdings Jacques spent several years as the Vice President of Franchise Operations for Sonic in which he was directly responsible for managing over 700 Sonic restaurants.
Reed is a Senior Director and Partner at Guernsey Holdings and serves as a valuable member of the investment committee. With a primary focus on evaluating investment opportunities and formulating the company's real estate strategy, Reed plays a crucial role in shaping Guernsey Holdings' real estate portfolio.
With over a decade of experience in the realms of real estate, finance, and restaurant investing, Reed brings a wealth of expertise to his role. His comprehensive knowledge of these industries allows him to navigate the intricacies of real estate investments and make informed decisions that align with the company's goals.
Reed received his bachelor’s degree from UCLA, which provided him with a solid foundation for his career. Furthermore, as a resident of Los Angeles, California, Reed is well-versed in the local real estate market dynamics and can leverage his insights to drive strategic real estate initiatives.
Reed's contributions are instrumental in identifying lucrative investment opportunities, formulating effective real estate strategies, and ensuring the growth and success of Guernsey Holdings. With his expertise and commitment to excellence, Reed plays a vital role in advancing the organization's real estate objectives and driving its overall success.
Domenic is a Partner at Guernsey Holdings, where he assumes critical strategic responsibilities such as: acquisitions, taxation strategy, and corporate integrations. With over six years of extensive experience in accounting, finance, and mergers and acquisitions, Domenic brings a diverse skill set and valuable insights to his role.
Before joining Guernsey Holdings, Domenic garnered significant expertise working at Deloitte, a renowned professional services firm, where he honed his skills in accounting and finance. Additionally, he gained hands-on experience at A&C Ventures, a prominent franchisee operating Taco Bell and Arby's locations. This experience provided Domenic with an in-depth understanding of the restaurant industry, further enriching his knowledge of finance and M&A transactions.
Domenic's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he concentrated on accounting and finance. This strong academic foundation equips him with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively analyze financial data and drive informed investment decisions.
With his extensive background in accounting, finance, and mergers and acquisitions, Domenic plays a pivotal role in evaluating investment opportunities, formulating taxation strategies, and facilitating seamless corporate integrations at Guernsey Holdings. His expertise and dedication contribute significantly to the organization's growth and success, furthering its position as a key player in the industry.
Values
Approach
Guernsey Holdings is a private investment firm that owns, operates and grows consumer-facing businesses with a specific investment thesis:
Flexible capital allowing to creatively acquire businesses.
As investors, our goal is to own companies in perpetuity.
Target businesses generating recurring annual cash flows with opportunities to grow through development and add-ons acquisitions.
Aiming for exceptional unit aesthetics and guest satisfaction.
Guernsey Holdings, LLC has acquired 3 Sonic Drive-Ins locations in the Pacific Northwest region. With the acquisition complete Guernsey Holdings now owns and operates 87 Sonic Drive-Ins.
News
Guernsey Holdings is pleased to announce the acquisition of 56 Sonic locations in Louisiana. The company now owns and operates 87 Sonic locations in Texas, Illinois, Idaho, Washington and Louisiana and is the 5th largest franchisee in the system.
Guernsey Holdings, LLC has acquired 18 Sonic Drive-Ins locations in the Houston and southern Louisiana region. With the acquisition complete Guernsey Holdings now owns and operates 28 Sonic Drive-Ins.
Guernsey Holdings has just joined the Inspire Brands family by acquiring 10 top performing Sonic restaurants in Southern Illinois.
