2021
Flagship
Consumer
Northlake, IL
Active
Founded in 1959 and headquartered outside Chicago, Empire Today (“Empire” or the “Company”) is the largest direct-to-consumer (“DTC”) provider of replacement hard surface flooring and carpet, serving over 70 of the largest US metropolitan areas. Featuring a wide selection of carpet and hard surface flooring products for homes, Empire also sells fully installed flooring solutions to small businesses and property managers. An iconic brand well-known for its “800-588-2300 Empire Today” jingle, the Company has a differentiated business model which simplifies the consumer experience through a free in-home estimate and sales consultation, a targeted product assortment and a coordinated professional installation.
In November 2021, Charlesbank partnered with management to invest in the Company. The investment leveraged both our experience in the residential services industry through our ownership of American Residential Services (ARS) and our knowledge of consumer spending on home goods through our investment in Wayfair. Having met Empire’s CEO during the Company’s 2016 sale process, we have maintained a multi-year dialogue with him, including through his service on the ARS board over the past several years. We believe our investment will enable Empire to expand its installation capacity, improve sales force effectiveness, drive B2B growth within the residential property industry and broaden its geographic footprint.
Keith Weinberger
City Brewing
Beverage contract manufacturer
Status:
Bridges Consumer Healthcare
OTC healthcare products
Status:
MyEyeDr.
Optical retailer
Status: Active
The Rockport Group
Multi-brand footwear provider
Status: Active
Hearthside Food Solutions
Food contract manufacturer
Status: Active
Varsity Brands
Academic achievement and athletic brands
Status: Active
Wayfair
Online home goods retailer
Status: Realized
MyEyeDr.
Optical retailer
Status: Realized
FULLBEAUTY Brands
Fashion retailer for plus-size consumers
Status: Realized
Sound United (formerly DEI)
Audio systems and vehicle security
Status: Realized
Peacock Foods
Packaging solutions for the food industry
Status: Realized
Blacksmith Brands
OTC consumer products
Status: Realized
Del Taco
Quick service restaurants
Status: Realized
WorldStrides
Educational student travel
Status: Realized
Zenith Products
Bathroom storage products and accessories
Status: Realized
Papa Murphy’s
"Take and bake" pizza stores
Status: Realized
Aurora Organic Dairy
Organic dairy
Status: Realized
Bell Automotive
Automotive convenience accessories
Status: Realized
Shoppers Drug Mart
Drugstores
Status: Realized
Bell Sports
Sporting goods
Status: Realized