News

On May 10, 2011, Bennett Thrasher co-hosted its First Annual Restaurant Industry Finance & Accounting Roundtable with GE Capital, Roark Capital and Monroe Moxness Berg. The conference was designed for restaurant owners and financial professionals in the restaurant industry located in Metropolitan Atlanta.  The speakers discussed the industry climate over the past year and previewed future trends, both nationally and in Georgia. Topics also included: banking, credit and private equity environment updates, mergers and acquisitions, valuation, franchise constraints and auditing and tax updates.

For more information on this event, please contact Michael Dukes at 770-396-2200.

It is becoming clear that the economy is improving albeit ever so modestly. We are encouraged to see that job growth is returning, but the pace and quality of growth still remains disappointing. We won‟t quibble too much as any improvement is a step in the right direction. In our view, employment and housing are two keys to a sustainable recovery. If the employment picture continues to improve and we can forestall the recent weakness in housing, we will begin to breathe easier. Unfortunately, housing continues to be overwhelmed by a huge inventory overhang, continued foreclosures, and declining prices. We have stated numerous times that as the American consumer‟s largest balance sheet item, a stable housing market is imperative to a sustainable, productive recovery. In our view, our recovery in the US is emerging but it remains weak-kneed and can topple at the slightest smell of unpleasantness. So, we remain cautious.