SOUTHPORT, CT – March 2025 – Carter Morse & Goodrich (“CMG”) is pleased to announce that it served as the exclusive financial advisor to Culinaire International, Inc. (“Culinaire” or the “Company”) in its sale to an undisclosed publicly traded, multinational strategic buyer. The details of the transaction remain confidential.
Founded in 1993 by Richard Gussoni and headquartered in Dallas, TX, Culinaire is a premier foodservice management company renowned for providing first-class guest experiences to attendees of fundraisers, galas, weddings and other on-site dining events at prestigious cultural venues throughout the country. Culinaire operates in 30 distinct museums, performing arts centers, cultural landmarks and hotels across 13 states and employs more than 1,200 team members.
Mr. Gussoni commented, “From the moment we first met the CMG team, I sensed a perfect fit to advise me on my goal of selling the company. Chemistry is paramount in a project like this, and the need to trust and accept guidance is crucial. CMG earned our trust and demonstrated it repeatedly. We never missed a step, and CMG kept us moving forward with confidence. I’m thankful for their exceptional work and unwavering support. It’s been a pleasure working with such a dedicated and professional team.”
Terence Hannafin, Managing Director and Partner at CMG, commented, “It has been a privilege to work with Richard and the entire Culinaire team through this important chapter in the company’s history. Our disciplined approach ensured that we not only maximized value for Culinaire but also found the ideal partner who shares their vision for the future and respects the values upon which the Company has been built. This transaction is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and we could not be more pleased with the outcome.”
Jackson Walker served as Culinaire’s primary legal advisor, Armanino provided tax and accounting support and CBIZ (formerly Marcum) provided quality of earnings support for the transaction.
About Carter Morse & Goodrich
Located in Southport, Connecticut, Carter Morse & Goodrich is a boutique M&A advisory firm that specializes in representing middle-market founder-led and family-held businesses. CMG specializes in helping owners of leading companies in niche markets to plan, prepare, execute, and close successful transactions that maximize shareholder value. We fully understand and appreciate the unique dynamics of closely-held businesses and the importance of legacies. CMG’sprimary focus is representing sellers who are pursuing their once-in-a-lifetime M&A transaction. For more than 37 years, the combination of our hands-on approach, senior banker attention, strategic guidance, seamless transaction execution and extensive network of domestic and international resources has enabled us to become a trusted advisor to hundreds of business owners.