Bio

Neal founded Roark in 2001 and is a member of Roark’s Investment Committee. In addition to his responsibilities as Managing Partner, Neal is most actively involved in Roark’s investments in Inspire Brands, Driven Brands, GoTo Foods and Primrose Schools, and was previously the Chairman of the Board of Roark’s prior investment in Wingstop. Prior to founding Roark, Neal was Co-Founder and CFO of U.S. Franchise Systems (“USFS”). Neal helped transform USFS from one brand with 22 hotels in nine states to three brands with more than 500 hotels in 50 states and five countries, making USFS the tenth largest hotel company in the United States. Prior to founding USFS, Neal was a Principal of Odyssey Partners, L.P., a private investment partnership founded by Jack Nash and Leon Levy. Prior to Odyssey, Neal was a Principal and General Partner at Acadia Partners, L.P. (now Oak Hill Partners) and subsequently a Managing Director of a successor company, Rosecliff Inc. Neal began his career in the corporate finance department at Drexel, Burnham, Lambert Incorporated. Neal received a B.A. from Lehigh University.