CIT Group Inc. today announced that it provided a senior secured term loan to Cole Real Estate Investments, Inc. (Cole), a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns and manages a diversified portfolio of real estate, including restaurant, retail, office and industrial properties, throughout the U.S. The $15.5 million financing supported the purchase of 21 properties with Wendy’s restaurants in three domestic markets — Las Vegas, San Antonio and Indianapolis.

CIT Corporate Finance, Retail and Restaurants served as Sole Lender and Lead Arranger for the transaction. Financing was provided by CIT Bank, the U.S. commercial bank subsidiary of CIT. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“Restaurants are benefiting as the economy continues to slowly improve and consumers begin to spend more on eating out,” said Bob Bielinski, Managing Director, CIT Corporate Finance, Retail and Restaurants. “This transaction provides us the opportunity to finance stabilized commercial real estate assets and establish a lending relationship with Cole Real Estate Investments, one of the most active net lease REITs in the market.”

Matt Donnelly, Senior Vice President and Head of Real Estate Finance at Cole, said, “The recent purchase of these properties with Wendy’s restaurants further expands our portfolio of high quality real estate assets. CIT’s deep industry knowledge and flexible financing structures played a key role in this transaction. We continue to look for properties with credit tenants and experienced operators which meet our acquisition criteria.”

Cole Real Estate Investments, Inc. (NYSE:COLE) is an industry-leading net lease REIT that acquires and manages real estate assets leased long-term to a high-quality, diversified tenant base. Since 1979, Cole has leveraged its deep relationships, efficiencies of scale and rigorous operational processes to acquire and actively manage retail, office and industrial properties.