Buddy’s Home Furnishings, a long-established rent-to-own furniture and home goods franchise, has entered a new phase of growth after being acquired by Skyline Investors, a Los Angeles based private equity firm that focuses on supporting established lower middle market brands.
The acquisition of Buddy’s by Skyline comes after several years of financial strain at its former parent company Franchise Group Inc, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in late 2024 as part of a debt restructuring effort. Franchise Group subsequently sold most of its assets, with Buddy’s and a few other retail brands transitioning to new ownership under Fusion Parent LLC before the sale to Skyline was finalised.
Buddy’s Home Furnishings operates more than 220 locations across 18 states in the United States and in Guam, offering customers flexible lease to own payment options on furniture, appliances, electronics and home goods. The brand was founded in 1961, giving it more than six decades of operational history and earning it continued recognition in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 rankings.
Under the new ownership, Buddy’s leadership plans to prioritise franchise health and operational performance, with an emphasis on supporting local owners and improving unit level results before reopening wider expansion efforts. Chief Executive Officer Michael Bennett, who has led the franchise for the past decade, said the partnership with Skyline and its affiliates reflects a shared long-term vision for the brand.
Skyline Investors brings specific experience in the rent-to-own retail sector, including prior investment in Majik Rent to Own, as well as strategic backing from Standard Communities, a firm specialising in affordable housing development. This combined expertise is expected to strengthen Buddy’s operational foundation and customer engagement.
In his remarks, Skyline co-founder Kevin Tom described Buddy’s as the type of platform opportunity the firm is built to support, highlighting the strength of its franchise network and the clear runway for strategic improvement. Co-founder Jeremy May also stressed the importance of listening to franchisees as a key part of future initiatives.
The acquisition marks a pivotal shift for Buddy’s after a period of distractions and restructuring and positions the brand for renewed focus on profitability and stability.
