Fortress Investment Group

Speaking with CNBC Squawk Box, SPB Hospitality CEO Josh Kern discussed the current market factors shaping the restaurant industry, particularly the mixed impacts of inflation and consumer behavior. Since its incorporation in 2020, Fortress portfolio company SPB Hospitality has successfully helped revive many beloved brands across the restaurant spectrum, including Krystal Restaurants LLC, Logan's Roadhouse, and J. Alexander's Restaurants. Josh, who oversees SPB Hospitality's portfolio of approximately 550 casual and fine dining restaurants across 38 states, underscored some of the macroeconomic pressures he's seeing impact areas like supply chain and goods' prices. As interest rate pressure eases, Josh shared cautious optimism for navigating these market headwinds. Watch Josh’s full interview here:

The Fortress Credit Conference, held in Dallas last week, reviewed the markets over the past year and the investment opportunities that Fortress’ investment teams see in today’s markets. The conference highlighted the areas where Fortress’ experience offers an advantage in deploying private capital: commercial real estate, corporates, asset-backed financing, legal assets, intellectual property, and fund solutions and private equity. Opening the conference, Pete Briger, Co-Chairman, noted: “The operation at Fortress is running on all cylinders and our people have a great sense of pride now that they’re now back to being employee owned.” Jack Neumark, Managing Partner, talked about the investing environment and Fortress’ investment selectivity: “We believe this is one of the better investing environments of the past 15 years, especially in the diversity of opportunistic deal flow. In more normalized markets we typically find attractive deals concentrated in one or two investing strategies. Today we see strong deal flow across all our strategies and given our strong pipeline we’re able to be really selective – which we believe will help us to generate better risk adjusted returns.” Drew McKnight, Co-CEO, highlighted some areas of focus over the past year: “An asset class that we weren’t really talking about even at this conference last year – forward flows – has been our most active asset class. We’ve originated $4.5bn+ of forward flows in the past year, and we think this market is still in the very early stages of growth.” Joshua Pack, Co-CEO, noted Fortress’ strengths and opportunity for growth: “Private credit has been a cornerstone of our business for over two decades. The market for private credit continues to be very strong – partly a result of the disintermediation of banks and more traditional types of lenders, and the growing influence of private credit markets. We’re at a really good spot today where we can continue to grow our franchise.”

Fortress Managing Director Erez Levy will speak at the 11th Annual IP Dealmakers Forum, held from November 6-8, 2024, in Miami. Erez will join a panel discussion titled, 'Structuring IP Finance Deals That Work,' which will explore current IP investment trends, effective capital structures, common challenges with deal structures, and opportunities within the current market. Fortress has more than 20 years of experience in underwriting intellectual property assets, and a strong track record of helping companies and universities leverage their intellectual property - enabling Fortress to be at the forefront of many patent-related strategic efforts.

Earlier this month, leaders from Brightline Trains attended the signing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The $3 billion grant agreement supports Brightline West’s development and building of the first high-speed rail connecting Las Vegas and Southern California. Fortress is proud to support Brightline West and extends its recognition to the team for reaching this pivotal milestone.

Airspan Networks announced it has completed a financial and strategic transition and is now a private company majority-owned by funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group. "We are a stronger company with a balance sheet that gives us the flexibility we need to execute our strategic plan, and a partner in Fortress that can offer valuable resources and support," says Glenn Laxdal, the company's President and Chief Executive Officer, in the announcement. US-based Airspan is an innovator in 5G technologies, with strong technology and IP portfolio across next generation public and private wireless network solutions. The Company provides disruptive software and hardware for 5G networks, and end-to-end Open RAN solutions that provide interoperability with other vendors. Read more:

SoFi today announced a $2 billion loan platform business agreement for personal loans with funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group. The agreement will expand SoFi’s capabilities in its loan platform business, where the company refers pre-qualified borrowers to loan origination partners as well as originates loans on behalf of third parties. "SoFi’s origination platform - and its focus on innovation and providing valuable credit solutions to its members - create a compelling investment opportunity for Fortress’s funds. We are excited about building a mutually beneficial partnership with SoFi," says Dominick Ruggiero in the announcement. Anthony Noto, CEO of SoFi, adds, "Fortress’ collaboration, seamless execution, and appreciation of the platform's value proposition makes them an exceptional partner." The agreement is the latest in a series of forward flow agreements led by Fortress. Read more:

Fortress Managing Director Courtney Quish is speaking at the (C-IP2) 2024 Annual Fall Conference hosted by George Mason University Center for Intellectual Property x Innovation Policy (C-IP^2). The event brings together thought leaders, policymakers, scholars, and industry professionals to discuss the evolving landscape of intellectual property and innovation policy. Courtney will speak on a panel regarding third party litigation funding. The event takes place October 17-18, 2024, at George Mason University, Arlington, VA. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/e3S_b9aR

Best Egg today announced it has secured a $500 million purchase commitment to facilitate the growth of the company’s personal loan product. The purchase facility, led by funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group alongside Edge Focus, includes a forward-flow purchase commitment and purchases of back-book loans facilitated by the Best Egg platform. It’s the latest in a series of forward flow agreements led by Fortress. “The strong alignment between Fortress, Edge Focus, and Best Egg on this transaction has created a tailored, private forward flow program that we believe offers our investors a compelling investment opportunity with steady cash flow,” says Bart Stankiewicz, a Managing Director at Fortress Investment Group.

“Given our credit focus and the fact that we have been involved in distressed real estate for decades, we are looking across the broad [landscape]. There is no product type or geography that is off-limits to us.” Tim Sloan, Vice Chairman and Head of Commercial Real Estate Debt at Fortress, spoke with PERE Credit about Fortress Investment Group’s real estate investing strategies and decades of experience in credit and real estate markets. “The quality of our team and our long history of experience positions us incredibly well. We want to continue to be known as one of the most sophisticated lenders and investors on the distressed side – and alongside that, continue to grow and diversify the business.” Read the full PERE Credit article here or on the Fortress website.

Arcis Golf, one of the largest owners and operators of golf facilities in the United States, recently hosted The 2024 PGA TOUR Team Golf Championship at the Grayhawk Golf Club location. According to the National Golf Foundation, more than one-third of the U.S. population over five years old has played, watched, listened or engaged with golf in 2023—up 30% since 2016. Funds managed by Fortress support Arcis Golf’s growth. With the rising interest in golf, Arcis Golf is investing to expand access to the game, reimagine the golf and country club experience, and make golf more inclusive—helping to expand the sport’s appeal and enhance the way a broader community enjoys it.