Industry veterans Julius Swolsky and Don Bingham of Graystone Capital Advisors, have successfully completed a transformative sale-leaseback transaction involving Stuckey’s Corporation’s 74,718-square-foot headquarters and manufacturing facility in the Augusta metro. Stuckey’s Corporation, founded in 1937 by W.S. Stuckey Sr., is a beloved American brand known for its iconic roadside stores offering a variety of snacks, candies, and souvenirs. The 10.15-acre property in Wrens, Georgia, which plays a pivotal role in Stuckey’s operations, was sold to a Midwest-based buyer in a high-profile deal that underscores the growing demand for industrial assets in the Southeast.
This strategic transaction highlights the power of sale-leaseback deals as a financial tool for driving corporate growth and operational efficiency. Over the past 36 months, Swolsky and Bingham have facilitated over a billion dollars in sale-leaseback transactions, partnering with corporations and M&A firms to unlock the value of corporate-owned real estate and create significant opportunities for reinvestment.
Driving Growth for Stuckey’s Legacy
Under the leadership of CEO Stephanie Stuckey and President RG Lamar, Stuckey’s has been undergoing a major resurgence. The proceeds from this sale will enable continued investments in automation and operational upgrades at the Wrens facility, a cornerstone of the company’s production and distribution network.
“Stuckey’s is a legacy brand that has blended nostalgia with innovation,” said Julius Swolsky, Managing Director of Graystone Capital Advisors. “This transaction provides the financial flexibility to fuel the company’s ambitious growth strategy while preserving the operational control of its most critical asset.”
Key Deal Highlights
- Long-Term Stability: The transaction includes a 20-year leaseback, ensuring Stuckey’s retains full operational control of its facility.
- Strategic Location: Situated at 705 South Main Street in Wrens, Georgia, the property boasts excellent connectivity via U.S. Highways 1 and 221 and proximity to Augusta Regional Airport, enhancing Stuckey’s distribution capabilities.
- Expert Facilitation: Swolsky and Bingham’s extensive experience in sale-leasebacks and corporate real estate optimization made them the ideal partners for this milestone deal.
An Industry-Defining Transaction
With its food-grade upgrades, cutting-edge automation systems, and critical location, the Wrens facility exemplifies the type of high-value industrial real estate sought by today’s investors. This sale-leaseback positions Stuckey’s for sustained success while demonstrating Graystone Capital Advisors’ ability to execute complex and impactful transactions.
“Sale-leasebacks are empowering businesses to innovate and grow at a rapid pace without the constraints of restrictive debt covenants and capital-intensive acquisitions,” said Don Bingham, Vice President of Graystone Capital Advisors.
