Instawares

• Industry Industrial, Technology
• Type M&A Sell-Side

About
Instawares is the leading online distributor of foodservice equipment and supplies in the United States. With over 405,000 products available through www.instawares.com, the Company offers a wide variety of equipment, supplies, and smallwares for restaurants, hotels, schools, individual consumers, and other foodservice organizations.

Situation
The Company’s management team had grown the Company from inception to $29 million in three and a half years primarily through vendor financing. The Company was looking for growth capital to shore up its balance sheet and infrastructure and also had several shareholders who were not key to the business and were looking for an exit. Instawares engaged Croft & Bender to advise the Company through this process, which included recruiting a COO/CFO, drafting an offering memorandum, and identifying, marketing to, and negotiating with potential investors.

Result
Croft & Bender successfully raised equity and debt capital from ITC Holding Company to fund working and growth capital as well as the buyout of many of Instawares' existing shareholders to position the Company for future growth.