Gladstone Investment Corporation has acquired a majority stake in McFarlane Toys, providing debt and equity financing to complete the transaction. The deal will support the collectibles company’s continued growth, product development, and expansion across domestic and international markets.
“When I started McFarlane Toys, the goal was to give fans and collectors products with a level of detail and creativity that stood apart,” shares Todd McFarlane, Founder of McFarlane Toys. “That commitment remains at the heart of our business. We are excited to partner with Gladstone Investment and the new opportunities this partnership will create, as we continue developing new products, supporting our licensing partners, and delivering the quality and creativity our fans expect.”
McFarlane and McFarlane Toys CEO Stephan Tetrault will remain co-owners and “meaningful shareholders” alongside Gladstone Investment. Both will continue to be actively involved in guiding the company’s strategic direction.
“We have built a strong foundation of talented people, valued licensing partnerships and longstanding retail relationships,” says Tetrault. “Our partnership with Gladstone represents an exciting opportunity to accelerate our growth, expand our global reach, and continue diversifying our product portfolio.”
Founded in 1994, McFarlane Toys designs, produces, and distributes licensed collectible action figures and statues. The company works with entertainment studios, video game publishers, sports organizations, and other intellectual property owners to develop products spanning entertainment, gaming, comics, anime, and sports. Its distribution channels include national and specialty retailers, domestic and international distributors, e-commerce, and direct-to-consumer sales.
Gladstone’s investment is intended to support McFarlane Toys’ product innovation, expansion into new collectible categories, development of strategic licensing partnerships, and growth in global markets.
“McFarlane Toys represents another strong example of Gladstone Investment’s strategy of partnering with successful founder- and management-owned lower middle market businesses,” shares Erika Highland, President of Gladstone Investment. “This investment represents our dedication to our ultimate goal of investing in quality companies that will produce stable income for dividends to our shareholders, as well as longer-term capital appreciation, through our significant equity ownership, resulting in capital gains.”
Learn about both companies online at gladstoneinvestment.com and mcfarlanetoysstore.com.
