In early 2003, when Andy Stern and John Rigos invested in their first Subway sandwich shop in Walton, New York, they knew the business they wanted to be in, and that they wanted it to grow into something special, something they and their team could be proud of. Back then, their company was called Five Points Partners (FPP), and its focus was to build or acquire multi-unit national franchise networks. Over the next several years, FPP would grow to more than two dozen units — eighteen Dunkin Donuts and ten Baskin-Robbins, in Long Island and Maryland. In 2006, FPP acquired the exclusive rights to develop up to thirty Five Guys burger locations in Manhattan.
The early years provided an incomparable education in business and people. Andy and John’s experience in the franchise industry, complemented by their relentless research, led them to the belief that one quality, more than any other, determined the success of a concept: the strength of the brand and its connection to guests. FPP expanded its investment strategy to include acquiring and developing concepts with high brand equity potential — originally developed concepts; existing companies with high, yet unrealized, brand potential; and existing multi-unit franchise concepts with standout brand traits.
FPP was renamed Aurify Brands, LLC, in 2011, so that the focus on high brand equity potential could be strengthened further. “Aurify” — to turn to gold — was the goal for each and every one of our brands.
Aurify’s businesses today include Melt Shop, The Little Beet and The Little Beet Table, Fields Good Chicken, MAKE Sandwich, and Five Guys Burgers and Fries.