Microsoft Sells Franchise Gator To Landmark Interactive; Price Around $20 Million
This story was written by Rafat Ali.
Microsoft's digital advertising division, which includes what was formerly aQuantive, has sold off its small subsidiary Franchise Gator, to Landmark Interactive, paidContent has learned. The sale price is around $20 million. In 2006, then-independent aQuantive bought FG for about $21.5 million, so there wasn't much of a markup. FG, based in Roswell, Ga., and Seattle, is a lead-gen business connecting people and companies looking for franchises and all kinds of businesses for sale. Landmark already owns similar businesses, including Franchise.com and Franchises Advantage, so is a synergistic fit in that portfolio. DeSilva & Phillips was the bankers from Franchise Gator's side on the deal. No immediate response from *Microsoft*.
By Rafat Ali