FTC Approves Advantage Sale to Catalyst Group
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has approved an application by Franchise Services of North America Inc. (FSNA) to sell its Advantage Rent A Car business to The Catalyst Capital Group Inc.
The Federal Trade Commission has approved an application by Franchise Services of North America Inc. (FSNA) to sell assets — it acquired from Hertz Global Holdings Inc. — to The Catalyst Capital Group Inc.
The FTC’s 2012 settlement required Hertz to sell its Advantage rental car business and other assets to a Commission-approved buyer (FSNA) in order to resolve charges that its proposed $2.3 billion acquisition of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. would have been anticompetitive. The FTC’s settlement requires FSNA to get the FTC’s approval for three years before selling any of the Advantage assets it acquired.
On Nov. 5, 2013, FSNA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection through its direct subsidiary Simply Wheelz and sought to sell Advantage, which has continued to operate during this process. Following a bankruptcy auction held in December, Catalyst was declared the winning bidder for the Advantage assets.
The bankruptcy court approved Catalyst’s acquisition of Advantage — subject to FTC approval. And now the FTC has approved FSNA’s application to sell the Advantage assets to Catalyst following the public comment period.
The Commission vote approving the application and responses to commenters was 3-0-1, with Commissioner Joshua D. Wright not participating.
More Rental Operations

The $100,000 Insurance Trap in Exotic Car Rentals
Exotic rental agencies often rely on customers’ personal auto policies to protect six-figure vehicles. But policy language can dramatically change the coverage for vehicles over $100,000 MSRP.
Read More →
The Booking Is Confirmed, But Is Your Customer Ready to Drive?
For international renters, a confirmed reservation doesn’t always mean they’re eligible to drive. Earlier checks can help operators catch documentation and payment issues before the customer reaches the counter.
Read More →
ICRS 2027 Opens Call for Papers
The International Car Rental Show seeks session proposals on the business, operational, and technology issues facing car rental operators. Submissions are due Jan. 15.
Read More →
Turo to Launch Vehicle Delivery Service
Turo Delivered will let travelers search for vehicles that hosts can deliver directly to hotels, homes, airports, train stations, and other locations.
Read More →
Palm Beach Airport Code Change Creates Car Rental Distribution Gap
A test of rental searches under the old PBI and new DJT airport codes returned largely different sets of brands and vehicles, highlighting a potential distribution problem for rental operators.
Read More →
U-Save Continues Dominican Republic Expansion with Launch in Punta Cana
The new franchise location builds on U-Save’s existing Santo Domingo operation and will begin taking reservations for October 2026.
Read More →
When AI Books the Rental Car, Who Controls the Sale?
As AI moves from comparing rental rates to completing transactions, operators need to understand how travelers find, interpret, rank, and ultimately see their offers. (Part 2 of 2.)
Read More →
European Booked Car Rental Rates Fell 5%, Results Varied by Country
Ireland, Cyprus, and the United Kingdom saw steep declines, while booked rates rose in Poland and Hungary.
Read More →Is It Time to Rethink Rental Categories?
As traditional economy and compact cars disappear from the market, longtime rental operator Mike DeLorenzo asks whether the industry’s familiar vehicle categories still make sense — and what operators need to rethink along with them.
Read More →
Who Owns the Rate? AI Is Creating a New Distribution Problem for Car Rental
Generative Engine Optimization asks whether AI can find a rental company, but operators also need to know whether the agent inspected enough of the market, compared equivalent offers, and presented a rate the traveler can actually book. (Part 1 of 2)
Read More →
