Any broker will tell you that, if they do their job well, their fee will pay for itself by getting a better deal for you. Even if your company falls in the small-to-mid size range, an experienced broker can save you thousands of dollars in time, terms, and a better sale price. Here’s what they can do.
A broker will help you understand the value of your company in today’s market. Many owners have no clear idea of what their company might be worth. That’s why we recommend that you consult an experienced business broker for an opinion of value well before you start thinking about retiring or selling the business. A broker has no conflict of interest or agenda; we simply do the research to give you a clear picture of your company’s worth.
Part of that process includes “comps,” data from actual recent sales of companies that compare to yours in industry, size, revenue, and other factors such as geography. The right comps can be transformative for a deal.
We recently brokered the sale of a franchise unit where the buyer was seeking conventional funding (not an SBA loan.) The lender’s internal underwriters initially declined to finance the deal, citing information from comps.
Franchise Clearly has a relationship with PeerComps, a valuation company whose database is based on a single source: bank loans for business deals that have actually closed. They equalize the data from each deal so we know we’re comparing apples to apples. When we presented a different (and, we believed, more accurate) set of comps, the lender not only funded the deal but also agreed to a multiple (of SDE) that increased from 3.6X to 4.1X.
On a sale that was close to $2M, the seller realized hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional profit. In fact, the deal may never have happened at all without guidance and support from a broker.
A broker will recruit and vet several qualified, motivated buyers, ensuring you get the best price for your company. When you choose a broker with deep industry experience, you’ll get the benefit of their network of buyers and other professionals. Finding the right fit for your franchise requires experience and skill. We specialize in franchise resales, and we have over 22,500 prospective buyers in our database, which means we’re able to generate a lot of interest – and the right interest, because we know just what the prospects are looking for.
We assess their business experience and their financial viability. We ask for proof of funds to ensure they have the means to secure financing for the deal. A broker will know how to screen out tire-kickers and other buyers who won’t be a good fit for your company. They’ll also help you evaluate serious offers so you can be sure you understand both the offer price and the terms, both of which will have a significant impact on your payout.
In 2025, we averaged 4.5 offers for every listing. When a seller has four qualified buyers competing for their business, they can be assured they’re getting the best terms and the highest possible offer in the current market. They can trust they’re dealing with motivated buyers who want a quick, clean closing, because they know the seller has plenty of options.
A broker will protect your interests so you can negotiate confidently with any buyer. Most owners will sell a business only once in their lifetime, and they may face professional buyers who make deals every day. Buyers will have a team on their side, making sure they get the most favorable terms. You deserve a team on your side, too, making sure you make an informed decision by comparing offers point by point.
Getting the most from the sale of your business starts with a professional opinion of value. Start the conversation here.
