Our Team
Leadership
Carter Asefi
Partner —Franchise Finance & Investments With over 30 years of experience across franchise finance, operations, and multi-unit management, Carter has built a career around turning disciplined operations into long-term enterprise value. He has led and advised on hundreds of franchise transactions across QSR, retail, and service industries, developing deep expertise in valuation, growth modeling, and operator performance systems. Carter’s background combines hands-on operational management with structured deal execution, giving him an uncommon ability to assess both the people and the numbers behind every business.
- Prior Experience: Gaines Business Brokerage · FranBizNetwork · Little Caesars (Multi-Unit Operator)
- Education: San Francisco State University
Sam Kaufman
Partner — Private Equity & Turnaround Management Sam brings more than two decades of experience in private equity, restaurant operations, and turnaround management. He has held senior leadership roles at national restaurant brands and investment groups, focusing on restructuring initiatives, cost optimization, and scalable unit economics. His work spans performance recovery, operational integration, and brand repositioning, and he has guided management teams through both distressed and growth environments.
- Prior Experience: Hargett Hunter · Sprinkles Cupcakes · LeDuff America · Brinker International
- Education: MBA, Southern Methodist University — Cox School of Business
David Drinan
Partner — Investments & Advisory David has over 30 years of experience in investments, operational restructuring, and executive advisory. His career includes leadership roles at global consulting and asset management firms where he oversaw capital redeployment, corporate turnarounds, and strategic growth programs across multiple sectors. Known for his analytical rigor and steady leadership, David has advised management teams through complex transformations involving finance, operations, and technology modernization.
- Prior Experience: AlixPartners · FTI Consulting · Partners Group · Grosvenor Capital Management
- Education: MBA, University of Chicago — Booth School of Business
Greg Zamfotis
Partner — Brand & Growth Strategy Greg is a seasoned entrepreneur and brand strategist with more than 20 years of leadership experience in consumer and retail businesses. As the founder and chief executive of Gregorys Coffee, he grew a single concept into a recognized multi-market brand through a focus on design, culture, and operational precision. His background spans brand identity development, organizational leadership, and multi-unit expansion — all rooted in a deep understanding of customer experience and operational excellence.
- Prior Experience: Gregorys Coffee (Founder & CEO)
- Education: JD, Brooklyn Law School
Ab Asefi
Partner — Data & Infrastructure Alex specializes in data systems, analytics, and infrastructure engineering, with more than 10 years of experience in large-scale technical environments. His background spans data architecture, process automation, and cross-functional team leadership at global science and technology companies. He is recognized for building reliable, high-performance data pipelines and tools that improve decision-making speed and organizational visibility.
- Prior Experience: Johnson & Johnson · Bristol Myers Squibb
- Education: B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of California — Irvine (Henry Samueli School of Engineering)