Our Team: Carty Davis
CARTY DAVIS
A leader in the Restaurant Finance and Transaction industry for 28 years, Carty Davis has initiated and managed hundreds of innovative transactions involving thousands of restaurant locations. Ranging from large refranchising programs to small equity raises for emerging concepts, Carty has initiated new trends in industry financing and capitalization, with a focus on maximizing value for his clients.
A graduate of Auburn University, Carty began his financial career with Hibernia Bank in New Orleans while attending Tulane’s Freeman Business School. He relocated to Atlanta in 1984, working with several regional banks before specializing in franchise lending with AT&T Capital’s Franchise Group in 1989.
Carty became an early leader in the restaurant securitized debt market in the early 1990’s, co-managing FMAC’s market-leading origination team, which led to FMAC’s successful IPO in late 1997. At FMAC, he initiated and managed the industry’s first combination of royalty and store financing securing a Charlotte restaurant investor group’s purchase of Bojangles’ in 1998.
In 1998, Carty co-founded and managed Peachtree Franchise Finance, originating over $150 million in financing in the first 6 months of operations despite difficult market conditions affecting the securitized debt industry.
In 2000, Carty joined The Cypress Group, a fledgling boutique investment bank focused on the Burger King system. As a co-partner for 16 years, he led Cypress’ ascent to the leading position in restaurant and franchise M&A and financing, spearheading the company’s diversification into Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Hardee’s, Bojangles’, and numerous other established quick service restaurant brands.
In 2011, Carty initiated a 60 franchise, 600-unit restructuring project for Arby’s, positioning Cypress as a leader in franchisor programs. He then leveraged a 25-year relationship with Wendy’s in 2013 to secure and manage a 340-unit refranchising initiative (SO-I), followed by a 540-unit refranchising project in 2015 (SO-III).
Carty also originated and managed the TGI Friday’s refranchising project, consisting of the sale of approximately 175 restaurants. This project was completed in 2016.
During his tenure at Cypress, he managed the sale of independent casual dining, quick service restaurant and fast casual brands, culminating in over $1.7 billion in financings and M&A transactions.
Carty brings to C Squared tremendous experience, having forged new trails and developments in the Restaurant Finance and Transaction industry. Carty is well-known as a passionate advocate for clients, with an aggressive spirit, valued relationships and outstanding integrity. These traits have led to multiple transactions with numerous clients.
A native of New Orleans, Carty has been a resident of Pinehurst, NC since 2004. Carty has a passion for travel, playing the world’s great golf courses, spending time with family in the low country near Beaufort, SC and cheering for the Auburn Tigers. Carty has traveled to 55 countries and 49 states, noting Namibia and Croatia as his favorite countries, Cape Town as the best city, and Machu Picchu as his favorite place.
Intensely competitive, Mr. Davis brings passion, focus and drive to any C Squared engagement.