Imperial Capital Advises exhale Enterprises, Inc. in its Sale to Hyatt

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 20, 2017 -- Imperial Capital, LLC announced that it served as the financial advisor to exhale Enterprises, Inc. (“exhale” or “the Company”) in its sale to an affiliate of Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H), where exhale has become a standalone business as part of Hyatt’s wellness category. The acquisition reflects Hyatt’s understanding of wellness as an area of growing importance to high-end travelers, as well as its strategy to expand its offerings beyond traditional hotel stays.

Founded in 2003, exhale is a unique wellbeing brand that addresses mind and body, through spa and fitness. With more than 20 locations in key markets throughout the U.S. and Caribbean, more than 1,000 associates and dozens of branded programs, exhale has a loyal following with guests who have an emotional, energetic and social connection to the exhale brand. A recipient of hundreds of awards and attracting more than one million annual guest visits, exhale has firmly established itself as a premium wellbeing brand and category leader.

“The exhale brand has been at the forefront of the wellness industry for the past 10+ years as an early pioneer in the fitness industry targeting mind body transformation. Given the brand’s best-in-class programs and unique reach into the hospitality sector, Hyatt is the ideal acquirer to team with exhale’s founders and management team in order to take the business to the next level,” said Brian Wood, Head of Imperial Capital’s Branded Consumer Group. John Mack, Managing Director and Co-Head of Investment Banking at Imperial Capital, added, “This transaction is representative of Imperial Capital’s capability across various industries, and in particular our Consumer group’s deep understanding and strong relationships at all levels of the Health, Wellness & Fitness sector."

The term “Hyatt” is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates.

About exhale
Exhale, a leading wellbeing brand, revolutionized the spa + fitness industry in 2003 with a unique business model that addresses both mind and body through spa + fitness. Dedicated to transformation, mindfulness and healing, exhale has more than 20 locations in the U.S. + Caribbean offering dozens of proprietary boutique fitness class programs and award-winning healing + spa therapies. Exhale is now part of the Hyatt family, operating as a standalone business within Hyatt's wellness category. For more information, please visit www.exhalespa.com.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 13 premier brands. As of September 30, 2017, the Company's portfolio included 739 properties in 57 countries. The Company's purpose to care for people so they can be their best informs its business decisions and growth strategy and is intended to create value for shareholders, build relationships with guests and attract the best colleagues in the industry. The Company's subsidiaries develop, own, operate, manage, franchise, license or provide services to hotels, resorts, branded residences and vacation ownership properties, including under the Park Hyatt®, Miraval®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt®, Andaz®, Hyatt Centric®, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Ziva™, Hyatt Zilara™ and Hyatt Residence Club® brand names and have locations on six continents. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

About Imperial Capital, LLC

Imperial Capital, founded in 1997, is a full-service investment banking firm with offices in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, London, Minneapolis, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Charlotte, Palm Beach and Tel Aviv. The firm currently employs over 250 professionals and offers a wide range of proprietary products and services to institutional investors, middle market companies and private equity firms. Imperial Capital provides institutional clients research and sales and trading of high yield and distressed debt securities, bank debt, convertible bonds, preferred stocks, and equities. The firm provides middle market companies and financial sponsors with capital markets, merger and acquisitions, capital structure, restructuring and recapitalization advisory services. More information about Imperial Capital can be found at www.imperialcapital.com.

For more information regarding Imperial Capital, please contact:

Tigist Gessesse
Corporate Finance Manager
(310) 246-3605
[email protected]