Aprio acquires Antares | Accounting Today

Aprio LLP, a Top 50 Firm based in Atlanta, has acquired Antares Group, a firm with offices in the Atlanta suburb of Conyers as well as Boston, doubling the size of Aprio’s restaurant, franchise and hospitality industry team.

The Antares deal will bring over 100 team members and partners to Aprio when the deal closes on Nov. 1, along with a large group of new clients, including more than 1,600 owner-operated McDonald’s restaurants and other quick service and fast casual dining spots in over 40 states.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Aprio ranked No. 26 on Accounting Today‘s 2023 list of the Top 100 Firms, with $318 million in annual revenue and approximately 1,747 full-time professionals, including 171 partners, prior to the deal.

“We are pumped about the win-win benefits that Antares Group and Aprio amplify as a combined entity, which will solidify Aprio’s position as a national leader in the restaurant, franchise and hospitality industry,” said Aprio CEO and managing partner Richard Kopelman in a statement Friday. “The combination furthers our ability to deliver business advisory, accounting, tax planning, complex audit services and more during the entire lifecycle of a business.” 

The combined firm plans to grow its restaurant, franchise and hospitality practice over the next three to five years to serve clients across the U.S. and beyond.

“The combination of our firms represents a unique opportunity to facilitate our continued growth in the restaurant and franchise industry,” said Antares Group managing partner Mark Kashgegian in a statement. “This also represents a tremendous opportunity for members of our team to advance their professional growth and continue to build meaningful careers as part of a larger firm.” 

Aprio has completed over 20 M&A deals since 2017, bringing on, among others, Culotta, Scroggins, Hendricks & Gillespie, Aronson, Salver & Cook, Gomerdinger & Associates, Tobin & Collins, Squire + Lemkin, LBA Haynes Strand, Leaf Saltzman, RINA and Tarlow and Co.