GreatAmerica Financial Services Corp. has announced it acquired the assets of IRH Capital LLC. The acquisition will allow Northbrook, Illinois-based IRH Capital to expand its services and add a new industry focus to the GreatAmerica business platform.

IRH principal Keith Rabin will lead the GreatAmerica franchise division, bringing with him 20-plus years of experience along with the entire IRH team.

"For the last 11 years, we have enjoyed the solid and consistent support of GreatAmerica," Rabin said. "This new beginning gives us added resources to allow us to deepen our service offering and expand our reach in the franchise market. We have very strong cultural alignment and a focus on helping our customers achieve success."

IRH Capital has been providing financing to franchises for 20 years and is a preferred lender to many of the most recognizable franchise concepts in the country. IRH will be the cornerstone of the GreatAmerica Franchise Finance Division and will report into Brian Bjella, senior vice president and general manager.

"IRH and its team have deep industry knowledge and relationships with some of the healthiest franchise brands in the country," Bjella said. "We are excited to provide additional resources to help fuel IRH's continued growth within the franchise finance industry."

"Our combined reputations for industry knowledge and exceptional customer service gives us an even stronger footprint in the franchise financing segment," said Tony Golobic, founder and Executive chairman, GreatAmerica. "Keith and IRH have a strong reputation of doing business the right way and we are proud to have them join the GreatAmerica team."

The sale was effective Jan. 1, 2022, and the IRH team will continue to conduct business out of its Northbrook, Illinois, office.