Buff City Soap has Quadrupled in Size and is Looking to Expand Further with Growth Capital from General Atlantic

Original Article: Dallas Business Journal - June 07, 2022

Dallas-based Buff City Soap has lathered up for its next stage of growth, securing additional funding from New York-based private equity firm General Atlantic, as recently reported in the Dallas Business Journal.

This infusion of capital will help Buff City Soap continue to clean up the competition as it expands its plant-based, handmade product offerings across the U.S. With more than 215 locations in 30 states, this investment will ensure the company continues to grow and bubble up to new heights, opening more stores and enhancing its retail and franchise footprint.

With fresh funding secured, General Atlantic now holds the largest stake in Buff City Soap, according to the release.

“General Atlantic’s backing is like adding the perfect ingredient to our formula,” said Buff City Soap CEO Craig Kessler. “This partnership will help us expand both online and offline, roll out some amazing new products, and take our in-store experience to the next level. We’re ready to reshape the future of personal care and home essentials in ways that only Buff City can.”

With this extra boost, Buff City Soap is primed to keep growing, scrubbing up the industry, and leaving a fresh mark in every market it touches.

As part of the investment, Lexie Bartlett, principal at General Atlantic, will dive into the mix by joining Buff City Soap’s Board of Directors.

To keep up with its explosive growth, Buff City Soap has also dropped in some key leadership hires recently. Craig Kessler, formerly the Chief Operating Officer at Topgolf, now leads the charge as CEO, with Enrique Ramirez stepping in as CFO and President of International, bringing his expertise from Pizza Hut. Jean Grossman, previously Chief Franchise Officer at European Wax Center, has joined as COO, and Shellie Caudill, a former product leader for Procter & Gamble and Bath & Body Works, is now Chief Product Officer.

“Since our initial investment, Buff City Soap’s growth has fizzed up even faster,” said Andrew Crawford, global head of consumer at General Atlantic. “We believe Buff City Soap is perfectly poised to make a splash in the personal care and home consumables market.”

With this bubbly leadership team and fresh funding, Buff City Soap is ready to burst into its next chapter of expansion and innovation.