Robbins Pellegrino · Florida
Guidance for business owners considering a sale, buyers pursuing an acquisition, and everyone working through a transaction.
Browse answers about selling, buying, and completing a business acquisition.
The entire process is confidential. The relationship between Robbins Pellegrino and the client is protected by a Non Disclosure Agreement, which extends throughout the selling process. While your business may be publicly listed, it will be done so in very general terms and with great discretion. All buyer inquiries will be covered under additional NDAs.
Robbins Pellegrino does not charge upfront fees for prospective sellers that qualify. We will do a free value assessment that will give you a value range that you could expect in the marketplace. We do this before we contract to list your business for sale to make sure your expectations are realistic.
The process can take as long as 6-12+ months depending on the industry, but most of our clients close on their business within 6 months of initial listing. Our close rate at Robbins Pellegrino is greater than 90% as we only list businesses that we are confident we can sell within a calendar year.
There are many reasons, but here are a few dominant ones: 1) Overvaluation - many sellers want to 'test the waters' and overprice the business. 2) Sellers are not willing to finance a portion of the sale price. 3) Declining business revenues. 4) Sellers are not willing to negotiate. 5) Inaccurate financial records that don't pass buyer's due diligence. 6) Sellers get cold feet and withdraw from the market. 7) Landlord issues. 8) Financing is not available.
For the initial valuation analysis, we require your past three full years of Profit & Loss Statements and Tax Returns, along with your Balance Sheets. Depending on the time of year, we will likely also ask for Year to Date statements for the current year. Other documents such as an Equipment List, Lease, or Property Appraisal may be requested later where applicable.
Our commission fee is generally 10% of the total transaction value with exceptions for larger deals and other extenuating circumstances.
Start by reviewing the buyer resources and available opportunities on the Robbins Pellegrino marketplace. Create a buyer profile to share your acquisition interests, preferred geography, experience, and financial readiness, then speak with a broker about opportunities that fit your goals.
A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) protects a seller's confidential business information. Public listings may omit the business name and other identifying details. Buyers must complete the applicable NDA and receive authorization before accessing confidential information; permission for one business does not grant access to every listing.
Prepare a clear picture of your available liquidity, financial obligations, income needs, relevant experience, and intended role in the business. Share your target industry, geography, and timeline. A lender evaluates both the buyer and the proposed transaction; prequalification does not guarantee final loan approval.
The Robbins Pellegrino buyer portal lets buyers track opportunities, review authorized deal documents, and manage offers. Confidential data-room access depends on the applicable NDA and deal permissions. Creating an account alone does not unlock every business's confidential information.
A letter of intent (LOI) outlines the proposed terms of an acquisition, such as price, transaction structure, financing, due diligence, and timing. It provides a basis for negotiation before a definitive purchase agreement. Some provisions, including confidentiality or exclusivity, may be binding; have your attorney review the document before signing.
Due diligence is the buyer's review of the business before closing. Depending on the transaction, it may include financial statements, tax returns, leases, contracts, equipment, licenses, and operating records. Buyers should work with their legal, accounting, and lending advisers to verify information, resolve questions, and assess the conditions in their purchase agreement.
Speak with the Robbins Pellegrino team about your business or acquisition goals.
