Houlihan Lokey, Inc. announced that Kenny Kraft has joined the firm?s Consumer, Food & Retail Group as a Managing Director. Based in Atlanta, Mr. Kraft will oversee the firm?s coverage efforts across the retail and multi-unit sector, adding expertise in convenience stores, restaurants, and auto-related multi-unit companies. Mr. Kraft joins after spending the past seven years in J.P. Morgan?s Investment Banking Group, most recently as a Managing Director covering the middle-market retail sector, including convenience stores, car washes, automotive services chains, restaurants, and discount retailers.

In addition, he was responsible for leading client coverage efforts within the Southeast investment banking region for J.P. Morgan. Prior to J.P. Morgan, Mr. Kraft spent six years at SunTrust Robinson Humprey, Inc., advising on M&A and financing transactions in the retail and restaurant sectors. He has nearly two decades of experience working with multi-unit concepts.