The Aspen Group (TAG), which owns and operates four consumer healthcare brands including Aspen Dental, ClearChoice Dental Implant Center, WellNow Urgent Care and Chapter Aesthetic Studio, has recently ANNOUNCED it has reached an agreement to acquire AZPetVet, subject to governmental approvals and other customary closing conditions.

AZPetVet operates a network of 22 cooperative small animal general practice hospitals, all independently owned and operated, throughout the Greater Phoenix, Arizona metro area. The company is led by CEO Shannon Gillis.

The Aspen Group is owned by private equity firms Ares Management, L.P. (NYSE: ARES), Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. and American Securities, LLC.

RELATED:

PRESS RELEASE: TAG – The Aspen Group to Acquire AZPetVet – A Group of 22 Veterinary Hospitals in the Phoenix Area (8.16.22)
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tag–the-aspen-group-to-acquire-azpetvet–a-group-of-22-veterinary-hospitals-in-the-phoenix-area-301606585.html

Aspen Dental Management Rebrands as TAG – The Aspen Group (12.2.21)
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aspen-dental-management-rebrands-as-tag–the-aspen-group-301436111.html

• Aspen Dental Management, Inc. (ADMI) today announced the rebranding of its parent company as TAG – The Aspen Group.
  • TIMELINE OF GROWTH:
    • In 1998, Aspen Dental was founded by Bob Fontana in New York.
    • In 2016, TAG acquired WellNow, one of the fastest growing urgent care providers in the U.S.
    • In 2020, TAG acquired ClearChoice, the only pure-play national network of dental providers that provides same-day dental implants.
    • In 2020, TAG acquired Rejuv, one of the largest single practice medical aesthetics businesses in the country – and relaunched it as Chapter.

Cooperative Equity and Ownership: An Introduction
https://resources.uwcc.wisc.edu/Start/CoopEquityOwnership.pdf

• Cooperatives are business enterprises, not charitable organizations, so they are not the same as non-profits; yet they do not exist to maximize profits, so they are not the same as investor-owned firms. Cooperatives are enterprises that are democratically owned and controlled by the people who benefit from them and are operated collaboratively for the purpose of providing services to these beneficiaries or members.