Investing in Founder & Family-Owned Businesses

Garden City Equity is a people-first holding company that buys, grows & holds exceptional businesses.

Selling your business can be simple.


Our purpose is people, so we strive to provide good jobs where workers thrive.
We provide fair & straightforward exits for owners, with diligence focused on what truly matters.
We grow businesses through shareholder relationships.

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Why partner with Garden City?


Do Nothing

Remaining independent misses out on all the benefits of a strategic and financial partnership.

  • Protect Team
  • Protect Culture
  • No Liquidity
  • Little/No Financial Diversification
  • Stuck in the Operations
  • Carry Home Stress
  • Maintain Risk

Private Equity

Not all investors or buyers for your business are created equal. To many, it’s just a transaction.

  • Provides Liquidity
  • “Second Bite” at the Apple
  • Rip & Replace Team & Culture
  • Flips Your Company in 3-5 years
  • Terms Could Make Equity Worthless
  • Focused on Value Protection

Garden City

We work with founders to protect the culture and legacy of their organization while providing peace of mind.

  • Protects your Team
  • Protects your Culture
  • Provides Liquidity
  • “Second Bite” at the Apple
  • Flexible Deal Structure
  • Forever Home for your Business
  • May Become a Chairman & Advisor
  • Focused on Value Creation

Our process is proven.


We acquire extraordinary businesses.


Strong Profits

We seek $2-8M EBITDA.

Competitive Edge

A uniqueness that sets you apart.

Solid Team

Strong non-owner management team.

Enduring operations

5+ years of profitable operations.

Healthy Margins

10%+ margins are required.

High integrity

Reputation for being honest & fair.

We are 50+ families partnering as one.


Dan Cathy

Chairman, Chick-fil-A

Pat Gelsinger

CEO, Intel

Horst Schulze

Founder, Ritz Carlton

Cheryl Bachelder

Former CEO, Popeyes & KFC

Governor Bill Haslam

Pilot Flying J & Nashville Predators

Maggie Wilderotter

Board of DocuSign, Lyft, Costco, HPE, & Tanium

Drew Brees

Professional Athlete & Entrepreneur

Governor Jeb Bush

Former Governor of Florida

Dale Jones

Board Director, Chick-Fil-A & Northwestern Mutual

John Maxwell

NYT Best Selling Author & Entrepreneur

Tim Tebow

Professional Athlete & Entrepreneur

Pat Russo

Board Member, General Motors, HPE, KKR, Merck

Donald Miller

Author & CEO, Storybrand

John Ingram

Chairman, Ingram Industries, Inc.

Dennis Muilenburg

Former CEO, Boeing

Rick Smith

Former CEO, Equifax

Chris Tomlin

Music Artist & Entrepreneur

David McCormick

Former CEO of Bridgewater Associates

Mike Fisher

Former NHL Player & Entrepreneur

Colt McCoy

Professional Athlete and Entreprenuer

Scott Sperling

CEO, THL Partners

Terry Looper

CEO, Texon

Bear Rinehart

Lead Singer, NEEDTOBREATHE

Webb Simpson

Professional Golfer

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