The sale consists of 159 real estate mortgage loans, representing the vast majority of loans in the Trustreet portfolio, which has interests in 2,800 properties located in 49 states and Washington D.C. They have assets valued at more than $2.6 billion, including the top tier brands in quick service and casual dining. Moving the loans allows Trustreet to focus more on sale-leaseback financing, which better positions them for growth.
“GE Commercial Finance, Franchise Finance gave us a very good offer on the loans and, in the matter of a couple of days, had a team of 18 people here making the deal happen,” Curtis McWilliams, president and CEO of Trustreet, said in a press release. “It’s a win-win for both of us. For GE Commercial Finance, Franchise Finance, the loans become an ongoing part of their business, and from our perspective, selling them allows us to redeploy our capital into our core net lease business.”
According to Diane Cooper, president and CEO, GE Commercial Finance, Franchise Finance, a broader focus within the restaurant industry combined with extensive experience in real estate mortgage loans made them an ideal partner for Trustreet,.
“This acquisition presents a great opportunity for our business’ growth,” Cooper said in the press release. “We have continued to expand our presence in real estate mortgage lending, which is a major aspect of our business. This deal was successful largely because each side recognized the opportunity to strengthen its business in a core area.”
