CARMEL — A 97-acre Carmel property owned by the late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was sold last week to the owner of the second-largest Arby’s franchisee in the nation, and will be used as a family estate and private family farm.
According to Hamilton County property records, a trust which is controlled by Irsay’s three daughters, now the owners of the Colts, sold the property located at the northwest corner of West 116th Street and Clay Center Drive to Wade Haven Holdings, LLC, in Zionsville for an undisclosed price on Oct. 13.
Wade Haven Holdings was created last month by AES Restaurant Group CEO John Wade. With 229 restaurants in 17 states, AES is the second-largest Arby’s franchisee in the country.
Irsay purchased the property in 2021, which includes a 10,885-square-foot home with four bedrooms and five baths that was built in 2003. Trees on the property seem to spell out in massive letters “JI” for Jim Irsay.
According to AES Restaurant Group’s web site, “Wade started his career in the restaurant business at the age of 16 when he went to work at Grandy’s restaurant in Jefferson City, Mo. By the age of 18, he was promoted to assistant manager and began to realize that fast food was more than just a job, it could be a profitable career.”
Wade spent 11 years with RTM, a former major Arby’s franchisee, until 2004 when he left RTM to become an Arby’s franchisee buying six restaurants in Lafayette, Lebanon and Frankfort, forming the AES Restaurant Group, LLC.
IndyStar reached out to Wade for an interview. He declined to comment.
Since Irsay’s death in May, several of his real estate holdings have been put on the market, including:
In September, Irsay’s Carmel mansion sold for $11.75 million, less than two months after it went on the market. The 24,000-square-foot estate borders Crooked Stick Golf Club and features two separate standalone guest homes on 9.4 gated acres.
In August, a $19.9 million lake house owned by Irsay, featuring a 13,956-square-foot estate located on nearly six acres on Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver, Ind., was listed for sale.
The home features eight bedrooms, 10 baths and the personal touch of Irsay, who helped design the property he built in 2001. That listing for the lake house is still active.
Follow IndyStar sports reporter Dana Benbow on X: @DanaBenbow. Reach her via email: dbenbow@indystar.com.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Jim Irsay’s 97-acre Carmel property sold to second-largest Arby’s franchisee in U.S.
Reporting by Dana Hunsinger Benbow, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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