United Rental Expands Its Industry Leadership With H&E Acquisition on 1/15/25
“Joseph Raetzer, a business lawyer and consultant, observes that the H&E purchase is a multiple rather than single deal for United Rentals, as H&E itself has acquired several rental equipment companies in the past several years.
Universal Rentals Inc. (URI) “was already the largest equipment rental company in the industry, and this only extends their lead,” he told The Epoch Times via email.
“The deal also lines up with the trend of consolidation and expansion to keep costs down and have a wider offering, which should signal to others in the market to get big or go home—the 35-day ‘go-shop’ period in this deal may allow them to act on that signal at URI’s expense.””
JCPenney and SPARC Merge in Bet to Revive Iconic Brands and Stores on 1/12/25
““The merger should result in significant synergies with cost savings for all brands in the portfolio from lowered customer acquisition cost to product development savings,” Joseph Raetzer, MBA, JD, a business lawyer and consultant, told The Epoch Times via email.
Raetzer believes the critical purpose of this merger is to unlock the data across varying demographics and use it to revitalize what’s often seen as “dated” brands. “If successful, then Catalyst Brands would be able to realize accretive revenue as a customer ages to increase lifetime value,” he said.
“So, capturing a customer in their tweens through brands like Aeropostale and Lucky Brand, and then continuing to market and sell to them during the transition to professional life through a brand like Brooks Brothers, would increase customer lifetime value. Similar transition from price points can be capitalized on as customers go from JCPenney to higher price point brands.””
Mergers and Acquisitions Will Accelerate in 2025, With Tech Deals Leading the Way, Analysts Say on 1/12/25
“Adding to the favorable factors for M&A in 2025 is the incoming Trump administration, which will bring new leadership to government agencies, including the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), overseeing M&A activity.
“M&A looks to accelerate in 2025 as the Trump administration takes over and brings changes in leadership,” Joseph J. Raetzer, founding lawyer at Raetzer, told The Epoch Times via email.
“The DOJ’s and FTC’s current leadership has been pro-consumer and seen as a stalwart against corporate consolidation. The result has been that M&A substantially slowed in recent years as the FTC and DOJ have challenged a record number of acquisitions across different sectors.””
Constellation to Buy Calpine in $16.4 Billion Deal in the Clean-Energy Sector on 1/10/25
“Wall Street finds this valuation appealing, as evidenced by a jump in Constellation’s stock during a down day for U.S. equities.
Joseph Raetzer, a business lawyer and consultant, welcomes the deal’s timing.
“Calpine’s footprint is in geographic areas like Texas and California, where Constellation is currently lacking capacity,” he told The Epoch Times via email. “Constellation needs to expand energy supplies following deals with the U.S. government and Microsoft.””
Negotiating Franchise Lease Agreements and Protecting Your Investment on 1/7/25:
“Key Clauses to Prioritize
When negotiating a lease, franchisees should focus on clauses that address financial responsibility and provide long-term flexibility. Joseph J. Raetzer, president of Raetzer Consulting, emphasizes the importance of carefully crafted provisions.
“Focus on clauses that impact responsibility,” Raetzer said. “HVAC maintenance/repair and plumbing/drainage issues, for example, are two big ones that can impact your bottom line. There’s nothing like an unexpected $15,000 bill to replace a commercial HVAC system to make for a bad quarter!”
Raetzer recalls a case where drainage issues caused significant operational challenges for a retail store. Thanks to a drainage provision negotiated during the lease, the landlord covered the cost of core drilling and rerouting drainage pipes, saving the franchisee substantial expenses.
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The Power of Strategic Negotiation
A well-negotiated lease can significantly enhance a franchisee’s success. Raetzer shares an example of a client who was opening a franchise in a historic building. The lease initially required the franchisee to handle costly architectural drawings for a blade sign. By negotiating, Raetzer secured a clause requiring the landlord to provide the drawings and handle the application for a small monthly fee.
“The client was thrilled they got their blade sign, which directly impacts visibility to customers,” Raetzer said.”