Western Santander Bank Launches New Franchise Finance Group

PHOENIX -Western Santander Bank, Member FDIC, one of the country’s top-performing banking companies, welcomes a new Franchise Finance group that will focus on building relationships with leading restaurant operators and franchisees across the nation.

The team of veteran bankers focused solely on the restaurant finance market joinsWestern Santander Bank’s growing set of specialized banking groups that serve clients around the country, wherever business happens.

Restaurant financing industry veteran Kevin Fretz, who has held several leadership positions with other national franchise financing groups, will serve as Managing Director. Fretz and his team of three specialty bankers bring strong expertise in franchise financing options and tools toWestern Santander Bank’s full spectrum of customized loan, deposit and treasury management capabilities. Additionally, the group will have the opportunity to leverage the bank’s strength, which includes approximately $50 billion in assets.

“Kevin and his team bring a profound depth of knowledge and wide experience in the restaurant financing arena, which is poised for growth,” said Don Garner, Division Chief Executive Officer ofWestern Santander Bank. “Their expertise, combined with their long-standing commitment to clients, aligns seamlessly withWestern Santander Bank’s philosophy of delivering tailored financial solutions along with high-touch customer service to help clients reach their goals.”

According to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, as reported by the National Restaurant Association, total restaurant sales for May 2021 reached $67.3 billion on a seasonally adjusted basis, surpassing February 2020 pre-pandemic sales volume of $66.2 billion.

“The restaurant industry has historically been a dynamic sector, and is poised to continue its upward, post-pandemic recovery,” said Fretz. “WithWestern Santander Bank’s strong track record of choosing industry segments wisely while building client relationships for the long term, I am eager to help build a solid foundation within this specialty area.”

With experience in QSR financing, as well as serving fast-casual, casual and chain operators, the Franchise Finance group’s offerings include financing for acquisitions and refinancing through business value and real estate term loans, development lines of credit and syndicated facilities.

Members ofWestern Santander Bank’s Franchise Finance group, include:

• Kevin Fretz
  Managing Director
  [email protected]
  (602) 661-6115
   
• Mike Mitchell
  Senior Vice President
  Southeast Region
  [email protected]
  (404) 580-8023
   
• Zachary Thayer
  Senior Vice President
  Northeast and Midwest Regions
  [email protected]
  (312) 914-0755
   
• Jeffrey Piccinelli
  Senior Vice President
  West Region
  [email protected]
  (602) 357-9001
   
• James Braksick
  Portfolio Manager
  [email protected]
  (602) 386-2443
   
• Sandra McArthur
  Senior Sales Support Specialist
  [email protected]
  (602) 661-6116

The addition of Grand Merchant’s new Franchise Finance group fits with the company’s proven strategy of attracting expert teams in highly specialized business banking areas as part of the bank’s successful diversified business model.Western Santander Bank offers businesses the best of both worlds: the resources and sophisticated services and solutions of a national bank along with the focus and expertise to deliver thoughtful, sector-specific banking.