Patrick Galleher, Chairman and Managing Partner of Boxwood Partners, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the International Franchise Association (IFA), the firm announced October 16. Galleher will begin his three-year term at the IFA's 2027 Annual Convention in February, adding a veteran M&A dealmaker and former multi-unit operator to the governance body of the world's largest franchising trade association.
The Dealmaker's Record
Since 2011, Boxwood Partners has closed more than 50 franchisor sell-side transactions, advising founder-owned and private equity-backed franchise systems on strategic and financial exits. Galleher personally has led more than 70 sell-side engagements throughout his career, concentrating on businesses with enterprise values between $50 million and $500 million. Recent mandates include Tint World's majority sale to Susquehanna Growth Equity in October 2025 and United Franchise Group's divestiture of Vast Coworking Group to New State Capital Partners. The firm was also named to the 2026 Axial Advisor 100.
Galleher's operational credentials are equally substantive. He took a minority stake in sweetFrog Franchising in 2012 and simultaneously assumed the role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, guiding the frozen-yogurt chain from 15 locations to 384 across 41 states — a run that landed the brand on the Inc. 500 list of America's fastest-growing private companies. Following the brand's sale to Kahala Brands, Galleher retained a franchisee footprint and continues to own and operate 10 sweetFrog units, giving him a ground-level perspective on the economics that franchise operators face daily.
Why the Appointment Matters
The IFA represents more than 832,000 franchise establishments in the United States, which collectively support nearly 9 million jobs and generate more than $900 billion in economic output annually. Food and beverage concepts — from quick-service restaurants to specialty retail — constitute a disproportionate share of that base, making the association's policy and advocacy positions directly consequential for foodservice operators and the brands that supply them. Board composition shapes those positions.
"Franchising creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to build businesses, invest in their communities, and create lasting value," Galleher said. "Having worked in the industry as a franchisor, franchisee and advisor, I've seen firsthand what makes the franchise model work and how important it is to support the people behind these businesses."
Matt Haller, IFA President and CEO, cited Galleher's "firsthand understanding of how franchising helps build thriving brands and supports local business ownership and jobs" as central to his selection. Galleher has been an IFA member since 2012 and has spoken at past annual conventions on strategies for scaling franchise systems — a topic increasingly relevant as private equity appetite for franchise platform acquisitions remains elevated heading into 2027.
For F&B operators evaluating exit timelines or growth capital options, Galleher's dual role as active dealmaker and IFA board member positions Boxwood Partners at an influential intersection of policy and M&A advisory in the foodservice franchise sector. His board tenure begins formally in February 2027.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.