MERGER MARKET — Sep 9 — The Right One/Together Dating, a Norwell, Massachusetts-based matchmaking service, is weeks from appointing a banker to look at M&A options for the company, CEO Paul Falzone said. The Right One/Together Dating has been approached by numerous private equity firms interested in the company's strategic potential over the past six to nine months, he said. TRO/TD, which charges each member USD 3000 to USD 4000, generated about USD 18m from its corporate stores in 2007 with profit margins between 22% and 25%. Its franchise stores generated about USD 18m in 2007. Revenues, which in total came to more than USD 40m in 2007, have been flat between 2007 and 2008. The company is debt-free. "We have been courted by companies for eight to nine months. The most obvious buyers would be Yahoo, IAC or eHarmony, however The Right One/Together Dating may also be a fit for a personal health programs such as Nutrisystem or Weight Watchers", Falzone said.
I would be surprised if IAC expressed interest. Judging by how their online matchmakers are performing, I can’t imagine them wanting to own brick and mortar locations when they can mine their own database. Yahoo won’t buy either, they are in turmoil, lots of turnover, and what do they get out of the acquisition? Revenue or traffic? Not gonna happen.
Would eHarmony be a contender? Perhaps, but consider the very different corporate cultures and services. Again, what does eHarmony get out of the deal? Will it drive members to eHarmony? Will eHarmony drive members to The Right One? More likely.
I would be surprised if IAC expressed interest. Judging by how their online matchmakers are performing, I can’t imagine them wanting to own brick and mortar locations when they can mine their own database. Yahoo won’t buy either, they are in turmoil, lots of turnover, and what do they get out of the acquisition? Revenue or traffic? Not gonna happen.
Would eHarmony be a contender? Perhaps, but consider the very different corporate cultures and services. Again, what does eHarmony get out of the deal? Will it drive members to eHarmony? Will eHarmony drive members to The Right One? More likely.