The Friedkin Group

Who owns The Friedkin Group?
The Friedkin Group is owned entirely by the Friedkin family. Dan Friedkin, the son of founder Thomas H. Friedkin, serves as Chairman and CEO. The company is privately held and does not have public shareholders. Dan Friedkin makes all major strategic decisions for the group, including the acquisitions of AS Roma in 2020 and Everton in 2024.

What is Gulf States Toyota?
Gulf States Toyota is the world's largest independent Toyota distributor, distributing Toyota vehicles and parts to approximately 150 dealerships across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The company has been a Toyota distributor since 1969 and generates more than $11 billion in annual revenue. Gulf States Toyota is the only independent Toyota distributor in the United States, as Toyota's other US distributors are company-owned.

Does The Friedkin Group own football clubs?
Yes. The Friedkin Group owns AS Roma (Italian Serie A), acquired in August 2020 for approximately 591 million euros, and Everton Football Club (English Premier League), acquired in December 2024 at 99.5% ownership. The group is also reportedly exploring the acquisition of AS Cannes, a French football club, as of March 2025.

When did Friedkin acquire Everton?
Dan Friedkin completed the acquisition of Everton Football Club on December 19, 2024, becoming majority owner at 99.5%. The acquisition was valued at approximately 500 million to 600 million pounds, including debt assumption and commitments to the club's new stadium project at Bramley-Moore Dock. The acquisition was made through Roundhouse Capital, a Friedkin Group holding company.

What is Auberge Resorts Collection?
Auberge Resorts Collection is a luxury hospitality management company owned by The Friedkin Group. Auberge operates resorts and residences in premium destinations including Napa Valley, Aspen, Cabo San Lucas, and Costa Rica. The brand competes with other luxury resort brands including Aman, Four Seasons, and Rosewood. Auberge's revenue is not publicly disclosed but is estimated at several hundred million dollars annually.

What entertainment companies does The Friedkin Group own?
The Friedkin Group owns 30West, a film production and financing company based in Los Angeles, and Imperative Entertainment, a film and television production company based in Santa Monica. Imperative Entertainment has produced films including "The Square" (2017), which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and the television series "Yellowstone" (Paramount Network) and "Masters of the Air" (Apple TV+, 2024).

Is The Friedkin Group publicly traded?
No, The Friedkin Group is a privately held company owned entirely by the Friedkin family. The company does not file public financial reports. Revenue estimates are based on industry reports and the known scale of Gulf States Toyota's operations. Dan Friedkin serves as Chairman and CEO.

Thomas H. Friedkin founded the Friedkin Group in 1969 in Houston, Texas. Friedkin was a pilot and aviation enthusiast who had served as a Marine Corps pilot. He secured a distribution agreement with Toyota Motor Sales to distribute Toyota vehicles in the five-state region of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. This arrangement was unique because Toyota's other US distributors were company-owned, making Gulf States Toyota the only independent Toyota distributor in the United States.

Gulf States Toyota grew rapidly as Toyota's market share in the United States expanded through the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. By the 2000s, Gulf States Toyota was distributing more than 300,000 vehicles annually and generating billions of dollars in revenue. The success of Gulf States Toyota provided the financial foundation for the Friedkin Group's diversification into other industries.

In the 2000s and 2010s, the Friedkin Group expanded into hospitality through the acquisition of Auberge Resorts Collection, a luxury resort management company. Auberge operates properties in destinations including Napa Valley, Aspen, Mexico, and Costa Rica. The company also developed a portfolio of luxury real estate properties associated with its resorts.

The Friedkin Group expanded into entertainment through the creation of 30West, a film production and financing company, and Imperative Entertainment, a film and television production company. Imperative Entertainment produced films including "The Square" (2017), which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and "Yellowstone" (2018), the Paramount Network television series.

In August 2020, Dan Friedkin acquired AS Roma, the Italian Serie A football club, for approximately 591 million euros. The acquisition marked the Friedkin Group's entry into European football. Under Friedkin ownership, AS Roma won the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022, the club's first major European trophy in more than 60 years.

In July 2024, Dan Friedkin began negotiations to acquire Everton Football Club, an English Premier League club. Friedkin agreed to purchase the 94.1% stake owned by Farhad Moshiri in September 2024. The acquisition was completed on December 19, 2024, with Friedkin becoming majority owner at 99.5%. The acquisition was valued at approximately 500 million to 600 million pounds, including debt assumption and commitments to the club's new stadium project at Bramley-Moore Dock.

In March 2025, reports emerged that Friedkin was exploring the acquisition of AS Cannes, a French football club currently in the lower divisions. The acquisition would expand the Friedkin Group's multi-club portfolio to three European football clubs.

In 2025, Dan Friedkin also became involved in the production of major films through Imperative Entertainment, including the Apple TV+ series "Masters of the Air" (2024), a World War II drama produced with Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.

The Friedkin Group has faced several controversies and regulatory challenges, primarily related to its football club ownership.

The acquisition of Everton in December 2024 was controversial. Everton had been struggling financially under previous owner Farhad Moshiri, who had invested heavily in player transfers without achieving sporting success. The club faced points deductions in the 2023-24 season for violating Premier League profitability and sustainability rules. Some Everton fans expressed concern about the Friedkin Group's multi-club ownership model, given that the group also owns AS Roma. UEFA regulations prohibit clubs under the same ownership from competing in the same European competition, though the Friedkin Group has stated that it will comply with all regulations.

AS Roma has faced financial scrutiny under UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations. The club has reported significant operating losses in recent years, requiring capital injections from the Friedkin Group to cover deficits. In 2024, UEFA reached a settlement agreement with AS Roma regarding financial fair play compliance, requiring the club to limit spending on player transfers and wages.

The Friedkin Group's conservation activities in Tanzania have drawn scrutiny. The Friedkin family has operated hunting and conservation concessions in Tanzania for decades through the Friedkin Conservation Fund. The organization has been criticized by some animal rights groups for its trophy hunting operations, though the Friedkin family has defended the conservation model, arguing that regulated hunting funds wildlife protection and anti-poaching efforts.

Gulf States Toyota has faced legal challenges related to its dealership agreements. In 2023, a group of dealerships filed a lawsuit alleging that Gulf States Toyota had imposed unfair terms in its dealership agreements. The case was ongoing as of 2026.

The multi-club ownership model has drawn regulatory attention from both UEFA and the Premier League. Regulators are concerned about potential conflicts of interest, particularly regarding player transfers between clubs under the same ownership. The Friedkin Group has stated that it will operate AS Roma and Everton as separate entities with independent management teams.