SVN Embraces an Alternative to Its Franchise Ownership Model

Brokerage firm SVN International Corp. is adopting a partnership model as part of a new growth strategy. SVN launched the new strategy with the minority purchase of two Southern California offices. This is the first time that the firm has purchased a interest in an office since 2008, when it shifted to a franchise model. As part of the growth strategy, SVN will acquire a minority interest in established commercial real estate companies that are in high growth markets, including Washington DC, San Francisco and New York City.

“As a growth accelerator for the brand, these minority acquisitions not only provide SVN with immediate market share but also provides a foundation on which we can aggressively reinvest in markets on an ongoing basis for future growth,” Kevin Maggiacomo, president and CEO of SVN International Corp., tells GlobeSt.com. “These key markets are also the most active in terms of volume and velocity and serve as hubs for inbound and outbound opportunities.”

This is the first part of a two-pronged growth strategy. The second part will focus on the growing interest in alternative consolidation options. “We believe that the evolving competitive landscape and wave of consolidation has created demand for firms to be part of a larger platform but who also seek an alternative to traditional franchising or a straight, 100% acquisition,” adds Maggiacomo. “Our partnership strategy provides a bit of both, affiliating with one of the most recognized brands in CRE while simultaneously realizing some liquidity.”

The new partnership model doesn’t mean that SVN is planning to abandon the franchise model, however. Maggiacomo says the firm will continue to be a “pure” franchisor, as he describes. “We’re making minority investments here and not reverting back to the corporate stores of old,” he adds. “The agility, flexibility and stability that franchising provides is a core tenet of our business.  Our partnership investments are a supplemental strategy designed to accelerate and affect exponential growth in key markets where firms are looking for a structure that was previously unavailable through our traditional franchise model.”                 -

In fact the firm’s success with the franchise model has enabled them to adopt this new partnership model. Maggiacomo sees it has a new opportunity for growth. “Like any organization, we are constantly assessing our business model to in order to ascertain our best opportunities for growth,” he explains. “Last year we saw the 200th office open under the SVN brand.  We’re pleased with our market coverage, but we determined that our greatest opportunity for growth was in increasing our market share in key US markets. Doing that—quickly and in targeted form—requires a unique solution to the desires of the marketplace. A capital powered partnership strategy combined with the SVN systems for growth yields a product that is appealing to a bevy of high growth firms who fit the SVN mold.”

Specifically, Maggiacomo is looking for companies that are sizable and on the brink of obtaining significant market share, especially with access to support. “While the owners could sell all or a majority of their firm’s stock, most believe that they would be selling short or too early and further don’t want to relinquish control of their businesses,” he says. “The SVN Partnership Program provides for immediate liquidity to firm shareholders. This, coupled with growth capital for bolt-on acquisitions as well as SVN’s technology stack, systems and resources puts each partnership firm on their own “ten times” path to growth.”

The two firms SVN has purchased include ECP Commercial in San Diego, which will merge into SVN | Vanguard, and a team from Advisors Real Estate, which will form SVN | Commercial-DTLA in Los Angeles. These two firms perfectly fit the bill, aligning with both the growth strategy and the firm’s company culture. “For us, the SVN culture is everything—our culture is our business model, and so ensuring that prospective partner firms believe in and practice fee sharing and broker cooperation, as an example, is paramount,” Maggiacomo explains.

Like SVN, these firms are looking to disrupt the status quo, seeking sustainable growth and have a stable of experienced leaders. “Each has strong leadership experience and strong growth records, which fits well with the local leadership in place with David Rich, our regional developer.  Their own firm cultures fit seamlessly with SVN’s.  And both now have the balance sheets required to focus on growth,” adds Maggiacomo.

The firm is looking to expand the partnership model this year, with a goal of acquiring a stake in three additional firms. “Currently we are in active discussions with potential partners in Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Miami,” says Maggiacomo. “Our overall goal over the next three years is to complete 15 partnerships across the country.”