Dry cleaners chain with 28 locations in region sold

A locally owned dry cleaning chain with locations from Largo to Lakewood Ranch that’s been owned by two sisters for decades has been sold. 

VOLK Holdings LLC, run by St. Petersburg software entrepreneur and onetime franchise restaurant executive Nick Volk, has acquired the business, Sun Country Cleaners. Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. St. Pete-based Aberdeen Advisors was the exclusive advisor to Sun Country Cleaners, which had been owned by sisters Susan and Barbara McCarthy. Aberdeen Advisors, which provides sell-side M&A advisory services to privately held businesses, announced the sale. 

“This transaction is a great example of what can be accomplished through strong collaboration and persistence,” Hank Riner with Aberdeen says in the release. “There were challenges along the way, but the dedication and alignment between the buyer, seller and all parties involved ultimately led to a successful outcome. We’re excited to see Sun Country continue to thrive under new leadership.”

Volk will become president of the company, the release states, while the McCarthy sisters, “who built and grew Sun Country Cleaners into the market share leader in the Tampa Bay market are looking forward to a well-deserved retirement.” Volk, according to his LinkedIn profile, was previously with franchise giant Restaurant Brands International, as an analyst in operations and management overseeing Burger King and other brands. After that he was with AI platform Sprinklr and was president of Rowan, an AI-driven professional services firm.

Sun Country has been in operation for 46 years. Its 28 locations, according to its website, are split between Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties, including seven in the St. Petersburg area.