NRD Capital Management

NRD’s mission is to invest in brands that offer superior products and compelling unit economics and help them grow to their fullest potential using the power of franchising. They believe that sustained franchise growth is an outcome of franchisee success. Their investment approach focuses on building solid unit economic models for their franchisees, while adhering to a strong value system. They believe when franchisees and franchisors work together in a spirit of partnership, all parties win. NRD Capital occupies a unique niche in franchise equity investments. Their fund buys small to medium sized franchisors and applies their multi-unit and operating expertise to grow their brands. They look at franchise companies not just as financial vehicles but as living entities in which concept founders and franchisees have invested significant amounts of time and resources. Their goal is to use their operational and financial expertise to position high quality brands for accelerated growth. Their team has over 75 years of franchise experience from single store operations to public company management. Collectively, the team has been involved in 20 brands including top global brands such as Popeyes, Burger King, Snap Fitness and Domino's as well as regional brands such as Moe's Southwest Grill, Pet Valu, Super Wash and local startups such as Urban Grounds and Tutor Force. Their experience encompasses every area of the franchise business model from sales, financing, and real estate development to operations, marketing, HR, and technology through to successful exit strategies. The core pillar of NRD's strategy is to invest in brands where franchisee success is the central value. NRD invests in brands that meet the criteria of their proprietary model, known as Own It!©, which incorporates "The 5 Ps" (product, profit, people, processes, and partnership). Own It! establishes a clear focus on franchisee success.

Hashim, Aziz

Founder and Managing Partner

10 past transactions

SmartCrowd

Convertible Note in 2022
SmartCrowd is a real estate investment platform that facilitates access to the UAE real estate market through a user-friendly online portal, allowing investors to participate with a low minimum investment. By offering the ability to buy and sell fractional shares in properties, SmartCrowd reduces the barriers to entry for individuals looking to build their financial and real estate assets. This innovative approach enables investors to manage their portfolios similarly to stock investments, focusing on asset allocation without the complexities of purchasing and managing individual properties. As a result, investors can create a diversified property portfolio while minimizing risk and leveraging costs. SmartCrowd operates under the regulation of the Dubai Financial Services Authority, ensuring compliance and security for its users.

medIQ

Pre Seed Round in 2022
MedIQ is an integrated virtual care platform providing on-demand healthcare at the point of need. MedIQ redefines healthcare through a digitally enabled, cashless, hybrid healthcare ecosystem. MedIQ makes high-quality, modernized healthcare and wellness available to everyone.

1Huddle

Series A in 2020
1Huddle, Inc. is a provider of staff training and consulting services that utilizes a cloud-based mobile game platform to enhance employee onboarding and skill development. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Newark, New Jersey, the company offers its interactive training solutions to a diverse range of sectors, including professional sports, education, healthcare, real estate, and retail. By transforming traditional training materials into engaging, competitive games, 1Huddle aims to improve employee engagement and performance. The platform is designed to facilitate quick and effective training, making it accessible for users anywhere and anytime. With over 70 paying clients and more than 20,000 users, 1Huddle has developed a substantial library of game questions to support various training needs. The company has gained recognition in major media outlets, further establishing its reputation in the workforce training industry.

ShiftOne

Seed Round in 2019
ShiftOne is a mobile application focused on enhancing employee engagement and retention for hourly workers and managers. The platform utilizes real-time performance data, often sourced from point-of-sale systems or guest review collectors, to foster competition, improve communication, and recognize individual achievements. It also monitors key operational metrics, such as attrition risk, to ensure a healthy workplace environment. Additionally, ShiftOne incorporates automated, AI-driven analysis tools that provide leadership with insights and strategies to support their teams effectively. By making work more enjoyable and fulfilling, ShiftOne aims to reduce employee turnover and increase revenue for businesses.

Qu

Series B in 2019
Qu is the restaurant industry’s leading digital-first platform. Designed from the cloud down to the POS, we simplify the complex multi-channel, multi-brand, menu ecosystem with a modern, intuitive platform that delivers data-rich experiences. Now, you can serve all your people better: operators, franchisees, employees, and guests.

1Huddle

Series A in 2018
1Huddle, Inc. is a provider of staff training and consulting services that utilizes a cloud-based mobile game platform to enhance employee onboarding and skill development. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Newark, New Jersey, the company offers its interactive training solutions to a diverse range of sectors, including professional sports, education, healthcare, real estate, and retail. By transforming traditional training materials into engaging, competitive games, 1Huddle aims to improve employee engagement and performance. The platform is designed to facilitate quick and effective training, making it accessible for users anywhere and anytime. With over 70 paying clients and more than 20,000 users, 1Huddle has developed a substantial library of game questions to support various training needs. The company has gained recognition in major media outlets, further establishing its reputation in the workforce training industry.

Jibu

Series B in 2018
Jibu provides a comprehensive, turn-key start-up package for local entrepreneurs to start their own neighborhood businesses by treating and packaging water in reusable bottles. 450 million East Africans do not have reliable access to safe drinking water. Jibu currently works within this emerging market in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda and plans to expand to surrounding countries in the coming years. Jibu provides seed-financing and support to equip East African entreprenerus with the materials needed to launch safe drinking water franchises. Jibu offers an opportuntiy for local entrepreneurs to make drinking water 75% cheaper than bottled water, at the same price as boiling water, but with the convenience of door-side delivery and the aspirational association with bottled water.

Ruby Tuesday

Acquisition in 2017
Ruby Tuesday is a restaurant chain that serves lunch, dinner, coffee, desserts, and drinks. It offers take ins, reservations, walk-ins, take outs, and catering services. The company serves a wide variety of foods and beverages, including pasta, stakes, sea food, salads, burgers, and appetizers. Ruby Tuesday was founded in 1972 and is based in Maryville, Tennessee.

Fuzzy's Taco Shop

Acquisition in 2016
Fuzzy's Taco Shop is a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in Baja-style Mexican cuisine, known for its fish tacos, burritos, nachos, and an array of Mexican starters and salads. Founded in Fort Worth, Texas, by Alan and Chuck Bush in 2003, the establishment quickly gained popularity for its unique flavors, particularly the baja style tacos topped with feta and signature Fuzzy's sauce. This appeal led to a loyal customer base that prompted the expansion of the chain beyond Texas. Today, Fuzzy's Taco Shop operates 85 locations across 11 states, with plans for further growth. The restaurant emphasizes providing a variety of flavorful dishes at reasonable prices, catering to the cravings of its devoted fans.

Frisch's Restaurants

Acquisition in 2015
Frisch's Restaurants, Inc. operates full-service family-style dining establishments under the Frisch's Big Boy brand, primarily in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Founded in 1923 and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, the company offers a diverse menu featuring burgers, sandwiches, pastas, roast beef, chicken, seafood, salads, soups, and a selection of desserts and beverages. Frisch's Big Boy restaurants also provide drive-thru service and emphasize homemade dressings. The company retains exclusive rights to the "Big Boy" trademark in several states, including Kentucky, Indiana, and most of Ohio and Tennessee. In addition to its owned locations, Frisch's licenses the Big Boy brand to other operators in specific regions. The company has maintained profitability and consistently paid cash dividends to shareholders since becoming publicly traded in 1960. As of mid-August 2015, Frisch's Restaurants was taken private and owned 95 locations while licensing 26 to other operators.
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