HS Brands, Inc d/b/a ZOTA Payment Services

Company Profile

ZOTA is a registered ISO/MSP providing integrated payment processing, point-of-sale software, and value-added merchant services to approximately 5,000 U.S. merchants, with a particular focus on nail salons. The Zota platform offers card processing, scheduling and workflow tools, booking, and digital marketing solutions, with back-office support from teams in Vietnam and the Philippines.

Situation

Since its founding, the Company achieved meaningful growth by targeting an underserved and highly fragmented merchant segment with unique payment needs. Despite the strength of the underlying business, disputes among the Company’s equity holders disrupted governance and ultimately resulted in ZOTA being placed into receivership. In September 2024, the District Court of Laramie County, Wyoming appointed Randy L. Royal as Receiver, with responsibility for overseeing day-to-day operations, preserving enterprise value, and effectuating a court-supervised sale process.

Solution

SSG was retained in February 2026 to conduct a targeted marketing process, identify strategic and financial buyers, and solicit offers for the Company’s assets. In collaboration with the Receiver and his legal team, SSG developed and executed a strategy designed to reach buyers with relevant payments expertise and the ability to transact in a complex receivership. Through this process, SSG generated strong market engagement and secured multiple offers for the Company’s assets. Following negotiations with prospective bidders, the offer submitted by Kaylad, LLC was determined to be the highest and best proposal. SSG’s experience managing contentious sale processes in complex stakeholder environments enabled the Receiver to maximize value, preserve continuity for the Company’s merchant base, and bring finality to a longstanding dispute.