Citizens Commercial Banking, the commercial banking division of Citizens Financial Group, announced it has provided $86 million in new financing to Pleasanton, CA-based Golden Gate Bell, LLC for the acquisition of the 72-unit Taco Bell franchisee Dolan Foster Enterprises and the 13-unit Taco Bell franchisee Aksan United Fortune, Inc.

“The Citizens Commercial Banking team offered multiple financing options and acted as trusted advisors during the bidding process,” said David Grieve of Golden Gate Bell Restaurant Holdings, LLC, the holding company for Golden Gate Bell. “Citizens’ Restaurant Finance team demonstrated tremendous industry expertise and that’s why we selected them over competing banks.”

“As a leading national lender to restaurant owners, our focused expertise allows us to quickly assess the unique financing needs of clients such as Golden Gate Bell and provide both practical advice and dependable solutions,” said Armando Pedroza, senior vice president and national director of Citizens’ Restaurant Finance business. “With an average of more than 15 years of restaurant lending experience, our dedicated restaurant bankers understand the opportunities and challenges that face today’s restaurant owners.”

Citizens is serving as sole lead arranger, bookrunner and administrative agent for this transaction. Other lenders participating in the transaction are Bank of America and BMO Harris Bank.

A&C Ventures, Inc., a private commercial real estate investment company based in Sonoma, CA, raised the equity and formed the Golden Gate Bell entities to acquire Dolan Foster Enterprises and Aksan United Fortune. Since its inception in 1992, ACV has acquired more than 400 properties in 35 states valued at more than $1 billion and currently owns 165 properties in 30 states with an asset value in excess of $650 million.

Citizens Restaurant Finance is a top national restaurant lender focused on meeting the capital needs of multi-unit restaurant owners nationwide including franchisees, franchisors and chain restaurant owners.

Formerly known as RBS Citizens, Citizens Commercial Banking is the commercial banking division of Providence, RI-based Citizens Financial Group.