Carolyn Vardi, Gregg Galardi and Dunkin’ Brands Deal Team Win The Deal Awards for 2021

Private equity partner Carolyn Vardi, business restructuring partner Gregg Galardi and the Ropes & Gray team led by Jane Goldstein, Craig Marcus and Sarah Young that advised Dunkin’ Brands in its sale to Inspire Brands were named winners of The Deal Awards for 2021. The New York-based business and financial publication recognized top dealmakers in sector specialties as well as areas of dealmaking including restructuring, activism and private equity. 

Carolyn Vardi was named Private Equity Dealmaker of the Year – Middle Market for her work advising private equity firms Harvest Partners, Quad-C Management, Monomoy Capital Partners and others on transactions often complicated by the many logistical, legal and business challenges caused by the pandemic. 

Carolyn has become the consummate middle-market PE advisor, representing sponsors in leveraged buyouts, mergers and acquisitions and an assortment of strategic investments in financial services, software, health care, retail and industrials.

Gregg Galardi was named Debtor Counsel of the Year – Middle Market in recognition for leading large cross-practice teams in in-court and out-of-court restructurings and reorganizations for clients including Centric Brands, Rubio’s Restaurants and Toms Shoes. Gregg regularly counsels the firm's sponsor client base and portfolio company clients in distressed M&A and special situations.

The Deal award for Consumer, Retail, Food & Beverage Deal of the Year went to the firm deal team led by mergers & acquisitions partners Jane Goldstein, Craig Marcus and Sarah Young for their work advising Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc. in its $11.3 billion Sale to Inspire Brands. The deal was the second-largest acquisition of a North American restaurant chain in at least a decade.