PKF Investment Banking Closes Sale of Digital Nutrition Coaching Platform Stronger U to Self Esteem Brands
Deal reinforces team’s expertise helping businesses maximize value in competitive M&A market
PKF Investment Banking, the investment banking affiliate of PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP, one of the nation’s largest accounting, tax, and advisory firms, announced today the sale of its client, Stronger U, a leading digital nutrition coaching provider to Self Esteem Brands (SEB), the parent company of Anytime Fitness. The deal reinforces the team’s expertise in helping businesses maximize value while effectively navigating what has become a highly competitive M&A market.
“The PKFIB team was highly strategic and proactive, providing clear expertise in all aspects of the sale process,” said Mike Doehla, President and Owner of Stronger U. “They joined the process after our initial discussions with SEB, handling the negotiations and guiding us through due diligence to a successful transaction. The PKFIB team was a pleasure to work with, delivering confidence and actionable insights every step of the way.”
Stronger U has differentiated itself in the highly competitive virtual health and nutrition space as the only service that combines digital access with live, certified coaches, the science of nutrition and personalized plans to help improve a member’s dietary and eating skills. Founded in 2015, Stronger U has supported more than 50,000 members in achieving their nutrition, health and wellness goals.
“Stronger U established itself as a leader in the virtual nutrition space and made itself an attractive acquisition target,” said Bob Murphy, Senior Managing Director of PKF Investment Banking. “We were excited to help them leverage that leadership position and navigate the details of a successful transaction. We look forward to seeing how they grow and evolve under the SEB umbrella.”
In addition to Anytime Fitness (the world’s largest fitness franchise), SEB’s brands include Basecamp Fitness, The Bar Method, Stronger U and Waxing the City. Combined, more than 5,000 franchise locations are locally operated across 32 countries worldwide by independent, small business owners. SEB is also the parent company to affiliates Provision Security Solutions and Healthy Contributions.