Frontenac Acquires Honk Technologies to Boost Roadside Assistance

Frontenac, a private equity firm headquartered in Chicago, has completed the acquisition of Honk Technologies, a technology-driven service provider specializing in roadside assistance and vehicle logistics. The transaction also includes Honk’s strategic add-on acquisition of CurbsideSOS, a move that consolidates two innovators focused on digital infrastructure for roadside assistance, accident management, and mobility services.

The combined business will be led by a leadership team with deep logistics experience, including former Grubhub executives Adam DeWitt as CEO, Matt Maloney as Chairman, and Eric Ferguson as COO. Morgan Hughes, formerly CFO at Cambly and a senior finance executive at Grubhub, joins as CFO. This team brings a proven track record of scaling complex logistics marketplaces, having built Grubhub into one of the world’s largest delivery platforms.

Honk Technologies has developed an AI-powered dispatch and service management platform that replaces traditional call-center dispatch with a real-time, intelligent network. The platform dynamically connects drivers to the best available service providers based on location, performance, and job fit, while providing enterprise partners such as insurers, automotive OEMs, and fleet operators with full visibility into service performance, costs, and customer experience.

Adam DeWitt, incoming CEO of Honk, stated, “As we looked across the roadside industry, Honk’s technology platform stood out for transforming how roadside services are delivered. We are excited to build on Honk’s progress by being the best partner to every side of the network: enterprise partners, roadside service providers, and of course, motorists.”

Matt Maloney, founder of Grubhub, highlighted the parallels between food delivery and roadside assistance, noting, “Both are time-critical, local services powered by small operators. When logistics and incentives are designed correctly, the experience improves for everyone involved.” He added, “Roadside assistance is a true three-sided network involving carriers, motorists, and service providers. Focusing on their unique needs will create a better experience and more value for all.”

Frontenac’s acquisition aims to accelerate growth by leveraging the combined capabilities of Honk and CurbsideSOS. The integration is expected to enhance AI-powered optimized dispatch, real-time transparency, and a connected provider network, addressing increasing customer expectations and operational demands in the roadside assistance market.

Roadside assistance is evolving from a manual, closed-network service into a real-time logistics layer. This shift is driven by rising connectivity and the need for faster response times, cost control, and improved customer experience, particularly for insurance carriers, OEMs, and fleet operators.

Frontenac, with over 55 years of experience investing in lower middle market buyouts across consumer, industrial, and services sectors, employs an executive-centric approach called CEO1ST® to partner with operating leaders and build market-leading companies through transformational acquisitions and operational excellence.

The deal is expected to generate synergies through cross-selling enhanced roadside and accident management services, consolidating technology platforms, streamlining provider network management, and achieving economies of scale in customer acquisition and marketing.

Integration challenges include aligning technology platforms and data systems between Honk and CurbsideSOS, maintaining service quality during scaling, and managing cultural integration under the new leadership team.

The combined entity is poised to intensify competition in the roadside assistance industry by offering a more advanced, technology-driven platform, prompting traditional providers to increase investment in digital capabilities and consider strategic partnerships or acquisitions.

Looking ahead, Honk plans to continue expanding partnerships with insurers, OEMs, and fleets while driving innovation in roadside assistance through AI and digital infrastructure. The leadership team’s logistics expertise is expected to optimize operations and improve service transparency and responsiveness, enhancing customer retention and market reach.