An investment group headed by serial sports team owner Tom Hicks and former TBC Corp. executive Bill Ihnken has bought out Dallas-based Just Brakes, an automotive brake and service retailer with more than 130 stores in eight states.
Terms of the deal were not announced. Also involved as equity partners were Gemini Investors of Wellesley, Mass., and Monhegan Partners of Darien, Conn.
Hicks is the one time owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team, the Dallas Stars NHL franchise and Liverpool F.C. of the English Premier League. None of those ventures ended well, and Hicks was forced to sell the teams off under financial duress.
The billionaire head of an investment firm, Hicks also leads is Hicks Equity Partners, and he and Ihnken are the controlling owners of Just Brakes.
Hicks will serve as chairman of Just Brakes, and Ihnken will be CEO. Most recently, Ihnken was president and CEO of TBC’s store division, with mnore than 900 retail locations nationwide.
“Just Brakes is a well-recognized brand name operating in attractive markets that will serve as a wonderful platform for growth,” said Ihnken. “I am excited to lead Just Brakes and to collaborate with our dedicated employees and vendors to execute our long-term strategic plans, which include investments in training, expanded car care services, improved facilities and strategic acquisitions.”