Griffin Brothers Companies

What Griffin Brothers Companies does

Griffin Brothers Companies is a privately held, family-owned holding company founded in 1961 by Larry Griffin, Sr. in Charlotte, North Carolina, operating across four primary business pillars: waste management and C&D recycling (Greenway Waste Solutions), real estate development (Griffin Brothers Acquisitions), hospitality (Skyline Terrace, Chillfire Bar & Grill, Royal Bliss Brewing), and an entrepreneurial investment platform (ZoomUp Investments). The company owns and operates five C&D reclamation centers and Class II industrial landfills across North and South Carolina, including a 30,000+ square foot Materials Recovery Facility in Huntersville, NC that processes approximately 75,000 tons of construction debris annually and recycles 75% of incoming material, plus a dedicated gypsum wallboard recycling facility at Harrisburg, NC.

The ZoomUp Investments platform functions as a reverse search fund, providing capital and operational mentorship to entrepreneurs in trades (HVAC, plumbing, restoration, foundation repair, metal fabrication, collision repair, design-build) while retaining 10-15% equity stakes; the program supports brands including NuBlue, Roland Black Heating & Cooling, Ease Plumbing, Absolute Collision, Sasser Restoration, RhinoLift Foundation Solutions, Titan Metal Company, and Southern Cut Design & Build, with shared back-office services delivered through ZoomUp Shared Services (ZUSS). Real estate operations include the $26 million Mosaic Village mixed-use development (luxury student housing, retail, parking deck, Skyline Terrace venue) and the Waterside Crossing project, both anchored in the greater Charlotte/Lake Norman area.

The company makes money primarily through transaction-fee based revenue models: C&D disposal tipping fees at reclamation centers, recycled commodity sales (gypsum wallboard sold throughout the Carolinas), hospitality venue sales, real estate rental and development income, and investment returns from ZoomUp stakes. IT/AV services are delivered on a pay-as-you-go professional services basis to SMB clients. GTM motion is primarily sales-led (direct enterprise and mid-market outreach) supplemented by community-led relationship building through philanthropy and municipal partnerships, with the Town of Apex representing a flagship municipal relationship generating over $400,000 in annual savings. The company employs 251-500 people across its Carolinas footprint and remains under Griffin family control across three generations.

Name

Griffin Brothers Companies

Legal name

Griffin Brothers Companies

Website

https://griffinbros.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Griffin Brothers Companies is a family-owned holding company founded in 1961 operating C&D waste management and recycling facilities, real estate development, hospitality venues, and a ZoomUp entrepreneurial investment platform serving home-services brands across the Carolinas region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diversified Business Holdings

NAICS

Management of Companies and Enterprises (551)

SIC

Real Estate Dealers (For Their Own Account) (6532)

akta.pro primary industry

Bulk Item Pickup & Hauling (Outdoor/Residential) (HSAIAOAE)

Keywords

• Construction waste recycling
• Real estate development
• Waste management services
• Hospitality venue operations
• Entrepreneurial investment partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Cornelius

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tire and Automotive Sales: Originally started as Griffin Brothers Tire Sales in 1961, expanded to multiple tire and auto service locations before being sold in 2016.
2. Real Estate Development: Privately held real estate development company focused on commercial mixed-use projects in greater Charlotte area including retail sites, office buildings, hospitality venues, and residential developments.
3. Waste Management and Landfill Operations: Construction and Demolition debris management through reclamation centers, recycling facilities, and landfill operations. Revenue from disposal fees and recycling services.
4. Hospitality: Hospitality venues including Skyline Terrace, Chillfire Bar & Grill, and Royal Bliss brewing company.
5. Investment Returns from ZoomUp Companies: Griffin Brothers holds 10% to 15% stake in ZoomUp companies, providing capital and mentorship to entrepreneurs in trades and home services.
6. IT/AV Services: Managed IT services including laptop repair, virus removal, data recovery, network design, cloud services, and cybersecurity. Audio/video solutions including TV installation, audio systems, conference room setup, and security cameras.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Griffin Brothers Companies is a privately held, family-owned holding company that owns and operates a community of brands across multiple industries including real estate development (Griffin Brothers Acquisitions), construction and demolition (C&D) waste management and recycling (Greenway Waste Solutions / Greenway Recycling), hospitality (Skyline Terrace, Chillfire Bar & Grill, Royal Bliss Brewing, Pine Island Country Club), managed IT/AV services, and the ZoomUp Investments reverse search fund. Its subsidiaries provide direct services to enterprise and consumer customers primarily across North Carolina and South Carolina.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NuBlue: HVAC and home services brand
• Sasser Restoration
• Roland Black Heating & Cooling
• Titan Metal Company
• RhinoLift Foundation Solutions
• Southern Cut Design & Build
• Skyline Terrace
• Chillfire Bar & Grill
• Royal Bliss
• Pine Island Country Club
• Ease Plumbing
• Absolute Collision

Products and services

• Greenway Waste Solutions - C&D Landfill Operations Class II Industrial Landfill operations accepting Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste at five reclamation centers across North Carolina and South Carolina, including North Meck, Harrisburg, Apex, Mining Road (Kershaw, SC), and Marion County (Mullins, SC). Targeted at construction firms, demolition companies, and haulers.
• Greenway Recycling - C&D Materials Recovery Facility (North Meck) State-of-the-art C&D debris recycling facility that processes mixed construction and demolition loads, including LEED Certified project debris. Recycles approximately 75% of residential and commercial construction debris at the North Meck MRF.
• Greenway Recycling - Gypsum Wallboard Recycling (Harrisburg) C&D material recycling facility at Harrisburg that recycles 100% of incoming gypsum wallboard material, with 100% of byproduct sold to customers throughout the Carolinas. Supports LEED Certified projects and handles mixed loads of C&D debris.
• Griffin Brothers Acquisitions - Real Estate Development Privately held real estate development company focused on commercial mixed-use projects in the greater Charlotte area, including retail sites (e.g., Harris Teeter-anchored), office/medical parks, residential developments (townhomes, single-family, luxury student housing), and hospitality venues such as the $26 million Mosaic Village.
• Skyline Terrace Hospitality Venue 250-person luxury event space with skyline views of Charlotte's Center City, part of the Mosaic Village mixed-use facility, used for private events and gatherings.
• Chillfire Bar & Grill Hospitality restaurant venue operated by Griffin Brothers Hospitality serving food and beverage to consumers.
• Royal Bliss Brewing Company Craft brewing company operated by Griffin Brothers Hospitality, producing and selling beer to consumers.
• Pine Island Country Club (Golf) Country club with a golf course operated under the Griffin Brothers portfolio, open to members and guests for golf and related events.
• IT/AV Managed Services Managed IT and audio/visual services for small and mid-sized businesses, including laptop repair, virus removal, data recovery, network design using enterprise-grade Ubiquiti solutions, cloud services, cybersecurity, TV installation, audio systems, conference room setup, and security cameras.
• ZoomUp Investments - Reverse Search Fund Reverse search fund program that provides capital, mentorship, and shared back-office services (business planning, accounting, HR, call center, customer experience, compliance) to entrepreneurs ('Zoomers') who take majority ownership in trades and home service businesses. Griffin Brothers holds a 10% to 15% stake in ZoomUp companies.
• NuBlue (HVAC & Home Services) HVAC and home services brand operating under the ZoomUp Investments portfolio.
• Roland Black Heating & Cooling HVAC services brand operating under the ZoomUp Investments portfolio.
• Sasser Restoration Restoration services brand operating under the ZoomUp Investments portfolio.
• RhinoLift Foundation Solutions Foundation solutions and repair brand operating under the ZoomUp Investments portfolio.
• Southern Cut Design & Build

Quantifiable outcome

• 75% of construction debris recycled at new North Meck facility
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Greater Enrichment Program (GEP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2023Griffin Brothers Companies partners with the Greater Enrichment Program for their Annual Footgolf Tournament at Pine Island Country Club. Funds raised go directly to GEP to support their child-focused and family-centered mission.
• Dream on 3minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2022Ease Plumbing (ZoomUp brand) partnered with Dream on 3 nonprofit to raise money through 'No Leaks in This House' t-shirt sales. Dream on 3 enriches lives of kids with life-altering conditions by making their sports dreams come true.
• Leaky Black (NIL Partner)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerUniversity of North Carolina basketball player Leaky Black partnered with Ease Plumbing (ZoomUp brand) for NIL deal creating commercials and marketing content throughout 2022-2023.
• Nation Ford Land TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreenway Waste Solutions donated 158 acres of land (Rock Hill Preserve) to Nation Ford Land Trust in late 2018. The land trust will lease a 10- to 20-acre compost facility back to Greenway Waste Solutions for the City of Rock Hill yard waste program.
• Town of ApexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreenway Waste of Apex maintains strong operating partnership with the Town of Apex, providing recycling services and saving the town in excess of $400,000 per year.
• Cleveland County Rescue MissionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerZoomUp business Absolute Collision partnered with Cleveland County Rescue Mission for Driving For Hope Vehicle Giveaway, partnering with multiple auto industry companies to give away a car to a family in need.
• Harmon AutomotiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in Absolute Collision's Driving For Hope Vehicle Giveaway campaign.
• Various Auto Industry PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSherwin Williams, Clean Slate Detailing, BTS Tire & Wheel Distributors, Advance Auto Parts, Interior Motives, Forest City Honda, LKQ Corporation, and BMB Supply Company partnered with Absolute Collision for car giveaway campaign.
• Local Charities and Community OrganizationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2000, more than $1 Million has been donated to various organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Boy Scouts of America, Holbrooks Road Community Association, Huntersville Police Department, Huntersville Aquatic Center, Huntersville Community Development Association, Young Life of Lake Norman, Discovery Place for Kids, First Tee of Lake Norman, and Lake Norman Region Economic Development Corporation.
• ZoomUp Entrepreneurs (Zoomers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZoomUp Investments provides capital funding and mentorship to entrepreneurs (Zoomers) seeking majority ownership in businesses. Griffin Brothers holds 10-15% stake. Supports entrepreneurs in trades including plumbers, HVAC technicians, landscapers, electricians, and home service providers.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• D.H. Griffin Companies: Family-owned North Carolina-based demolition, C&D recycling, and environmental services company operating across the Carolinas and broader Southeast. Directly comparable to Griffin Brothers' Greenway Waste Solutions platform in geography, customer base, and C&D debris management focus.
• GreenWaste Recovery: California-based C&D and mixed-waste recycling company operating Materials Recovery Facilities. Comparable to Griffin Brothers' Greenway Recycling operations in core service line (C&D debris recycling) and focus on diversion rates from landfill.
• Zanker Recycling: California-based C&D and green waste recycling and landfill operator with dedicated debris processing facilities. Directly comparable to Griffin Brothers' C&D reclamation centers in service line, infrastructure approach, and diversion-rate focus.

Broad incumbents

• Republic Services: One of the largest publicly traded waste management companies in North America, offering C&D landfill and recycling services as part of a broad portfolio. Comparable as a broader incumbent competitor to Greenway Waste for municipal and large contractor contracts.
• Driven Brands: Charlotte, NC-headquartered multi-brand franchising platform (car wash, auto repair, paint, etc.) founded by the same regional entrepreneurial culture. Comparable as a scaled Charlotte-area multi-brand operator, although franchising rather than direct ownership.

Regional players

• Crosland: Charlotte, NC-based real estate development company with deep roots in mixed-use, retail, and multifamily projects across the Carolinas. Directly comparable to Griffin Brothers Acquisitions in regional footprint and mixed-use development expertise.
• The Provident Group: Developer and operator of student housing and mixed-use communities near major university campuses. Comparable to Griffin Brothers' Mosaic Village student housing project in asset class and university-anchored mixed-use strategy.

Emerging players

• Callodine: Search fund aggregator and SMB acquisition platform providing capital and operating support to entrepreneurs acquiring majority stakes in operating businesses. Comparable to ZoomUp Investments in the reverse search fund model and minority equity + shared services offering.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/griffin-brothers-companies

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Griffin Brothers Companies