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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated The Acquisition Of Ideal Frame Company Inc. By An Individual Acquirer

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction of Ideal Frame Company Inc. (“Ideal Frame”) by an individual acquirer.

Founded in 1956, Ideal Frame is a North Carolina-based furniture corporation that has been in business for over 60 years. The company provides quality furniture frames such as sofas, loveseats, chairs, ottomans, and other miscellaneous furniture pieces. The acquirer is an individual with industry experience and financing capability.

Senior Transaction Associate Sunny Garten at Benchmark International noted, “We are very excited about this transaction. While we always have our eye on larger strategic companies in the industry as potential buyers, our ‘all of the above’ marketing approaches can turn up qualified buyers from any angle. In this case, the right buyer for Ideal Frame was an individual with the financing and skills necessary to effect the change of control and carry the business on to the next level. On behalf of Benchmark International, we wish both parties continued success.”

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Firebox.com PLC and MH Direkt E-Commerce & Fulfillment GmbH & Co

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of London-based Firebox by Austrian-based MH Direkt.

Established in 1998, Firebox.com is an online retailer of unusual gifts, games, gadgets, and food & drink goods. Launched on the back of its incredibly successful invention; the ‘shot glass chess set’, Firebox was one of the first UK e-commerce success stories.

MH Direkt is a one-stop provider for the e-commerce sector and works with a number of online retailers. It owns European gift sites Radbag, Troppotogo and CadeauxFolies.

Do you have an exit or growth strategy in place?

The acquisition of Firebox is an important milestone in the growth strategy of MH Direkt as it looks to develop in the UK, with Firebox providing the opportunity to build up local warehouse and fulfilment capabilities. 

Post-acquisition, both shops will operate separately, but work closely together in terms of marketing and product development.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Aprenda Ltd and BRUSH Group

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Cambridgeshire-based Aprenda and Leicestershire-based BRUSH.

Aprenda is a high voltage electrical apparatus engineer, specialising in the installation and refurbishment of substations for blue-chip clients throughout the UK. Projects include turnkey design & build projects, preventative maintenance, equipment upgrades and new substation installations.

Founded in 1889, BRUSH is the leading independent provider of equipment, services and solutions for electrical power generation and distribution and is the world's largest independent manufacturer of generators above 20MVA. BRUSH's products are used across a wide range of end markets, including utilities, industrial, maritime, rail, data centres and renewable applications.

Do you have an exit or growth strategy in place?

The acquisition of Aprenda will provide BRUSH with a leading design engineering platform focused on UK power distribution network projects.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Retreat Homes and Lodges Limited and ABI (UK) Limited

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Retreat Homes and Lodges (‘Retreat’) and ABI (UK) (‘ABI’).

Established in 2004, Retreat manufactures timber-framed bespoke lodges from its manufacturing base on the edge of the Lake District. The company predominantly provides to the UK lodge and caravan park industry, as well as to private clients, schools, golf courses, and country houses and estates.

ABI is a premium caravan and luxury lodge manufacturer, building hand-crafted holiday homes for over 40 years from its factory in Beverley, East Yorkshire, supporting many of the UK’s most well-known holiday resorts. The acquisition allows the company to enter a new market by adding Retreat’s bespoke manufacturing capability to its repertoire.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

For Retreat, joining ABI will provide the support and investment to allow the team, led by managing director Alan Rooke, to continue the development of the business, which has become synonymous with luxury bespoke lodges.

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Benchmark International Facilitated the Simultaneous Transactions of PBSL Group Limited and Securi-Flex Ltd to an MBI Candidate Backed by Chiltern Capital

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the simultaneous acquisitions of PBSL Group and Securi-Flex by an MBI candidate, backed by private equity firm, Chiltern Capital.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between The Fox Consulting Group, Inc and SIB Fixed Cost Reduction

Benchmark International facilitated the transaction of The Fox Consulting Group, Inc to SIB Fixed Cost Reduction.

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Why Leveraged Buyouts Are Making A Huge Comeback

The last time we saw leveraged buyouts (LBOs) occur with such frenzied speed and spending, it was during the years of 2006 and 2007, right before the financial crisis of 2008. As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, interest rates remain low, and many business owners forced into survival mode are seeking exit opportunities. Plus, private equity firms are more than ready to spend the record levels of cash on which they have been sitting for quite some time.

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Why Lower Middle-Market Companies are Attractive to Buyers

The lower middle market encompasses some of the most diverse selection of companies available to buyers, from “Mom & Pop” service shops to highly innovative technology firms paving the way for disruptive change at the highest levels. For this reason, lower middle-market companies have been the backbone of the U.S. economy from the very beginning—and remain so to this day. The value that these companies bring does not go unnoticed by the broader market, making this segment a high-activity space for engaged buyers and sellers. And motivated buyers are adept at spotting value, providing opportunities for well-informed sellers to maximize value on their exit.

Many companies at this end of the market operate in highly fragmented industries. From HVAC equipment providers and servicers to pool maintenance and other small businesses, you can see this fragmentation simply by driving around any local geography. When an industry is highly fragmented—and also highly profitable—it creates a “sweet spot” for both strategic and financial buyers. Private equity strategies, for example, will often follow a formula of buying a larger “platform company” then searching the lower middle market for smaller “bolt-on” acquisitions to grow the company from there. The strategy is often referred to as a “roll-up.” If done correctly, it can bring large returns for both the acquired company and the buyer. Strategic buyers (firms already operating in the same industry as the acquisition target) often regard M&A in this end of the market as a better way to grow market share versus slow and costly organic expansion.

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

Business owners and managers in the lower middle market are often looking to exit for retirement purposes. This reality can be advantageous for both buyers and sellers. Oftentimes, there is no succession plan in place heading into the retirement/exit decision and process. Many small businesses do not have a large chain of top executives that make a transition easy, and handing the business over to their children is often not a realistic option either. In other circumstances, the notion of selling the business comes up suddenly as a response to situations like health problems or other personal “black swan” events. In all circumstances, the right buyer—be they financial (private equity) or strategic—presents lucrative solutions that provide for the off-ramp and transition that ownership is seeking.

As such, there has been a large increase in demand for companies at this end of the market, as well as a corresponding awakening of ownership to recognize and test the benefits of a sale process. Investors are sitting on an ever-growing pool of capital that they are looking to deploy, seeking returns they cannot get elsewhere. The lower middle market allows investors of all stripes to purchase assets with relatively low debt (and, therefore, risk) compared to much larger companies. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic impact cannot be ignored when selling your business. COVID has hurt and even crippled a lot of businesses at the smaller end of the market. It also put an elongated pause in the mergers and acquisitions process. These two factors have led to pumped-up demand and lower supply, driving to significant increases in activity and deal volumes as the economy begins to pick up again.

When the time comes, business owners need to be ready to act quickly on sale opportunities. There are a lot of factors that go into selling your business. There will be different types of individuals and entities that come through to inquire about the potential acquisition of your company. While it might be tempting to jump at the first offer that comes, it is better to get a sound understanding of the wider market, and where the highest synergies/motivations (and therefore, the best valuations) can be found. There are always more opportunities to transact than one might think, and there are potential buyers out there for any type of company. The process of finding the right buyer always takes some “travel time”—with some speed bumps along the way—but a sound process that is run correctly can bring windfalls that will certainly justify the effort.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between an Undisclosed Client and Patrol Protect Secure, Inc.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce that their client, a vehicle patrol security company in select neighborhoods to both residential and commercial properties on the West Coast, sold to Patrol Protect Secure, Inc (PPS).

  • The acquisition was PPS’s fourth investment in the U.S. security industry. The value of this addition to PPS includes:
  • Partnering with a long-tenured, energetic management team will be a force multiplier for the PPS team.
  • Expanding the geographic footprint to include the West Coast market.
  • The company’s vehicle patrol services are staffed by off-duty law enforcement officers, a segment of the security market where we have had much success, driven by market demand and the desire to staff armed functions with highly-trained law enforcement officers.
  • The partnership provided ongoing leadership roles and opportunities for its management team while allowing one of the leaders to take a step back and transition into a part-time role, consistent with his goals.

PPS is backed by Sunlake Capital LLC and Mangrove Equity Partners. Despite challenges presented by COVID-19, Mangrove and Sunlake Capital worked closely with this add-on and Benchmark International’s transaction team to close the transaction with a straightforward structure.

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

Sunlake Capital LLC is a private investment firm focused on flexible, long-term investments in family and entrepreneur-owned companies with a sustainable competitive advantage. With diverse capital relationships, Sunlake is able to devote its resources to the operations and strategy of its portfolio of businesses. The firm further differentiates itself through its long-term investment style, unique management partnership approach, and focus on industries and situations often under-served by the private equity community.

Mangrove Equity Partners is a private equity fund in the lower middle market that leverages its extensive experience creating solutions and getting deals done. Mangrove’s four-person internal operating team allows them to work through the complexity and help the owner/operators build enduring value. Mangrove has completed 140+ deals in 60+ industries.

Kendall Stafford, Benchmark International Managing Partner, commented, “We are very excited for our client and the team at PPS, Sunlake Capital, and Mangrove Equity. Based on our client’s goals and the buyer’s position in the market, our team anticipated that there could be a strong fit between the various companies. We discussed the acquisition with the acquirers before going back. Once we went to market and our client had additional options for potential acquirers, it was clear that the cultural fit between the parties and the deal being offered was a great solution for our client.”

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Talema Group, LLC and KAMIC Group AB

KAMIC Group AB has acquired all the shares in Talema Group LLC (“Talema”). Talema is a leading manufacturer of magnetic components such as transformers, toroids, inductors, and chokes with associated design work. The majority of components are developed specifically for bespoke customer applications, but standard components are also offered. The company’s customers are across a broad spectrum of sectors where the most important include logistics and warehousing, freight and transport, audio, and renewable energy.

Talema was founded in 1975 and has its registered office in the USA, but operational management is based at the head office in Donegal in northwest Ireland. The company has its own production facilities in the Czech Republic and India. Sales are conducted through own sales offices in the USA, Germany, Czech, India, and Ireland as well as a global network of agents and distributors. Talema has approximately 750 employees and annual sales of about EUR 12 million.

Former part-owner and President of Talema, Madison “Mac” Daily, commented, “We were a very unique family-run company: five companies in five countries on three continents. We had a potential buyer but needed expertise and guidance through the process of executing the sale. Tyrus O’Neill of Benchmark International provided the methodology, experience, and support needed to guide us successfully to completion. Without Tyrus’ assistance, I cannot imagine how we could have possibly finished the sale in such a strong position.”

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

KAMIC Group (www.kamicgroup.com) is a corporate group consisting of 40 companies active in both trade and manufacturing. KAMIC’s common aim is to be a leading supplier of technical products and services in several well-defined product and market niches. The Group has approximately 900 employees in 13 countries in Northern Europe, Asia, and North America and annual sales of approximately SEK 2.2 billion. Their customers are found mainly in the manufacturing industry but also among electrical installers and construction companies.

“Talema is a highly respected global player with strong skills in the design, development and production of magnetic components. They have experienced and powerful management, and the company’s customer base and geographic presence provide an ideal complement to our existing business in this area. Talema, therefore, is ideally placed to be a valuable addition to our corporate group,” says Fredrik Celsing, President and CEO of KAMIC Group.

Tyrus O’Neill, Managing Partner of Benchmark International, added, “We would like to congratulate and thank Mac, Fredrik, and everyone involved in this deal on a successful acquisition. There are numerous complexities to cross-border transactions, which would not have been possible without everyone working together. The synergies for the two organizations are apparent, and we are confident this will be a successful endeavor for everyone involved. Congratulations again, and we wish all parties the best moving forward.”

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Vita Play Limited and Beds Construction Services Ltd

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Winchester-based Vita Play and Bedfordshire-based Beds Construction.

Established in 2009, Vita Play provides turnkey solutions for children’s outdoor play spaces and environments, including fencing and street furniture, as well as specialist safety surfacing. Undertaking all work in-house, the company provides a complete service from design through to installation and maintenance. Operating from purpose-built facilities, the company primarily serve local authorities, schools, and private domestic clients across Hampshire and the surrounding counties.

Do you have an exit or growth strategy in place?

Private equity backed Beds Construction is an established business in the construction sector. It seeks to pursue synergistic bolt-on opportunities with well-established companies that have a turnover between £1m and £15m, a strong balance sheet and a long operating history.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Safety Services (UK) Limited and Phenna Group

Benchmark International is pleased to announce that Oxfordshire-based Safety Services has been acquired by Nottingham-based Phenna Group.

Safety Services is a professional consultancy offering a comprehensive range of health & safety solutions including site inspections, incident investigations, training courses, documentation & policies support, safety equipment, and general consultancy services to the construction, retail, and manufacturing sectors. The company has developed a trademarked cloud-based system which produces electronic reports to streamline administrative processes and increase accessibility to key information.

Established in 2018, Phenna provides investment and strategic leadership to companies in the testing, inspection, certification, and compliance (TICC) sector. Its aim is to build a global portfolio of independent TICC businesses.

Safety Services is the group’s seventh acquisition in 2021 and the first in the UK focused on HSE services. The Safety Services transaction comes just after Phenna Group’s acquisition of Ecology Solutions, a transaction also conducted via Benchmark International. Phenna has also previously worked with Benchmark International on the acquisitions of GMES and Facit Testing.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

Mike Fitchett, Founder of Safety Services commented: “I am very pleased to partner with Phenna Group. As I plan to step back from my managerial responsibilities, it was important for me to secure an experienced and ambitious partner to work with Jon Austin, who will lead the team as Managing Director. From my first engagement with Paul and his team, they have been professional and trustworthy. That has given me great confidence that the business is in capable hands and I look forward to the next phase of our expansion, working in close collaboration with the Phenna Group team.”

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Should I Sell to an SBIC: Making Sense of an Often-Misunderstood Buyer Type

Many business owners are already aware of the myriad loan programs offered by the Small Business Administration (SBA). The lower market is saturated with buyers who frequently and successfully turn to the SBA for financing a transaction. For all its benefits, however, the SBA’s maximum check size can prove restrictive in how much a company can sell for. Additionally, the SBA requires that sellers exit their business within one-year post-close, which can shut out sellers who want to be part of the company for a longer period and watch it grow.

To bridge the gap between buyers and the broader market of sellers, the SBA created a robust, multi-billion dollar lending program designed to motivate the acquisition of lower-middle market companies. To meet their objective, the SBA began licensing a new class of buyers: the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC).

SBICs are committed-capital funds that start by raising money from limited partners before deploying it via a series of investments in lower-middle market companies with less than $6 million in net income and at least 51% of their employees in the United States. These investments can come in the form of either debt financing or straight equity purchases, with the latter being commonly used to help SBICs build a portfolio of companies that they own and help operate on a day-to-day basis.

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

The traditional SBA loan instrument is famous for providing buyers with up to $4.5 million in debt financing on the condition that buyers lose access to other important transaction instruments, such as seller notes, earnouts, and equity rollovers. Commercially speaking, these instruments typically play a major role in facilitating transactions by providing a more equitable outcome for all parties involved. Losing access to these instruments can, at times, interfere with deal completion. Unlike SBA loan-based buyers, SBICs have access to debt up to $175 million for the purposes of acquiring companies and have comparatively few limitations on other tools that help get a deal done. As a result, SBICs experience superior flexibility in pushing a deal over the final ten-yard line. Sellers are likely to be better compensated for their companies and on more mutually acceptable terms. The low cost of debt associated with SBICs translates to more cash on their balance sheet post-close—leaving more cash available for growth, fostering a stronger buyer-seller relationship, and helping to secure the seller’s legacy.

The success of SBICs goes beyond financial capacity, however. To become a licensed SBIC, its founders must undergo SBA scrutiny that will question their experience, background, industry knowledge, and fortitude to run an investment firm—which is a much higher barrier to entry than is faced by many buyers. Furthermore, the incentive to help their acquisitions succeed is heightened for an SBIC because, if they make poor choices, they will not only have to deal with angry shareholders but also will face ramifications from the SBA. As a result, starting an SBIC can be as difficult as opening a federally chartered bank. A final, critical requirement for becoming a licensed SBIC is that the founders must have significant experience either investing in or running small business investments; meaning, as buyers, an SBIC manager is more likely to relate to the daily highs and lows associated with running a company and can provide valuable insight based on lived experience.

When it comes to selling your business, choosing the right buyer is crucial. If you’re looking for someone to take your company to the next level, to help it grow, to set you up for a better exit, then the capabilities of an SBIC are hard to match.

According to the SBA, top brands such as Under Armour, Chipotle, Staples, and Apple benefited in their youth from SBIC funding. If your small business meets the eligibility requirements for an SBIC investment, this buyer class could substantially improve your company’s growth and help build a strong, recognizable brand.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Ecology Solutions Limited and Phenna Group

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the sale of Worcestershire-based Ecology Solutions to Nottingham-based Phenna Group.

Established in 1996, Ecology Solutions is an ecology and environmental planning practice. The group offers an unrivalled turnkey service, supporting all stages from site assessment to public inquiry and implementation. The group’s expertise with legal processes, including presenting evidence in the courts and at public inquiries, has positioned it at the forefront of its marketplace and sees it maintain an enviable and unique profile within the Planning and Environment Bar, which is not replicated anywhere in the sector.

Established in 2018, Phenna provides investment and strategic leadership to companies in the testing, inspection, certification, and compliance (TICC) sector. Its aim is to build a global portfolio of independent TICC businesses.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

Ecology Solutions is the group’s sixth acquisition in 2021 and the fifth business in its rapidly expanding Infrastructure & Construction Division. It also represents the third acquisition conducted via Benchmark International, which have included the acquisitions of GMES and Facit Testing.

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How Your Company Can Benefit From Cross-border M&A

Growing a company once it has reached a certain plateau of success can be challenging. Mergers and acquisitions are a powerful tool for boosting the growth of an existing company—especially cross-border M&A. As a business owner, you should consider the different ways your company can benefit from an international deal.

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Can It Be Too Early To Put My Business On The Market?

Timing the sale of a company can certainly be a tricky decision. You don’t want to sell too soon, and you don’t want to sell too late either. In both scenarios, you risk leaving money on the table if the timing isn’t right. So what is a business owner to do?

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Vanguardia Limited and Buro Happold Limited

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Vanguardia and its subsidiary, Crowd Dynamic International Limited, by Buro Happold.

Vanguardia is an environmental and technology consultancy, working with architects, developers, stadium and arena operators, promoters, and end-user clients to enhance sound, minimise noise and improve the air quality of industrial and commercial projects and events. The company has undertaken major landmark projects in the sports and entertainment sector, working with major touring artists like The Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen, leading festivals such as Hyde Park’s Time and Reading & Leeds Festival, and iconic stadium/arena venues such as Wembley Stadium and The O2.

Crowd Dynamic provides modelling solutions and consultancy to support design and operational projects in the built and natural environment.

Buro Happold has been established for over 40 years and is an international consultancy of engineers, consultants and advisers, operating in 26 locations worldwide, with over 70 partners and 1,900 employees.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

Previously, Vanguardia and Buro Happold have worked together on renowned sports and entertainment projects in venues such as Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, O2 Arena, Qatar Education City Stadium, London Stadium and The Fisht Olympic Stadium.

The acquisition will strengthen Buro Happold’s consultancy capabilities, specifically in acoustics and sound engineering, environmental advisory services, plus a broad range of electro-acoustic and technology offers. It also creates a platform for the continued growth of Vanguardia into new sectors and markets.

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The “New Normal” for the Restaurant Industry

Restaurants all over the world express their own environments and tastes that help people identify the culture. People travel all to all ends of the earth to savor a certain style of food or experience a certain society or tradition. Restaurants are places that we go to enjoy everything from a quick lunch to a celebration of any sort. We engage restaurants as a platform for many activities, especially in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic inflicted issues on all social gatherings, and the world had to change the way we do many normal, day-to-day activities, impacting the restaurant industry significantly. My focus today is to enlighten you on some aspects that may help your business adapt, and make your restaurant a more attractive target to be acquired.

The restaurant industry is a monstrosity. It has various moving parts and year-over-year new aspects and competition. From ingredients to efficiency to ambiance, the restaurant sector has always been competitive and continually pushing forward with the times. 2020 brought all of that to a screeching halt. Though demand for certain items such as beans, rice, and bread was higher than ever, and grocery stores were being raided, restaurants were forced into full panic mode. There was no way to prepare, and no one knew what to do. Unlike several other diseases in the past, COVID-19 thankfully does not spread directly through livestock and agricultural products. Though that is not where the issue lies. Getting the products delivered to the location and having employees inside without spreading the disease was nearly impossible. The restaurants still surviving have obviously adapted to the times by focusing on enhanced delivery options and marketing schemes that helped them to stay afloat. With the world beginning to open back up, what is going to be the best tactic to getting the financials back to pre-COVID numbers?

More than 110,000 establishments have closed permanently over the past year, with others filing for bankruptcy. Everyone has changed their dining habits over the past year, particularly shifting to takeout and delivery. Moving forward, the industry is going to need to maintain a focus on responsiveness, and prioritization of health and safety. No one wants a cold pizza or cold veal parmesan in a plastic container. Presentation has come further into play. Restaurants need to get a foot ahead of the competition in any way possible. More restaurant concepts will have a drive-thru or pickup window in construction designs. Marketing schemes have been redirected to be community-based on a larger sense. For example, homeowner associations, next-door-neighbor sites, and city blog pages are going to need to be targeted. Along with that, customer loyalty programs, organic menu options, social media options, and mobile paying all may be beneficial. With the vaccines being distributed more widely, people are tired of being cooped up for over a year and are starting to travel and go to the newest, trendiest, most happening areas. How do you make your business compete and intrigue the crowd? There has to be a niche to your business—one that makes it stands apart from the chains and competition. There are restaurants on every corner, so you must create a particular dish or unique ambiance that people will remember. It is a difficult median that must be found where you are focusing on your health, yet also creating a memorable experience. Technology has also made its presence known, as nearly all communication over the past year has been through phone, text, video chat, or online ordering.

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

When it comes to mergers and acquisitions, what can you do to make your restaurant more sellable? There are a lot of factors that come into play, but a large portion has to do with profit & loss statements, balance sheets, and showing consistency. Of course, 2020 will not be taken out of consideration, but at the same time, buyers cannot consider last year to have been normal. Some buyers will try to take this into consideration as they want the better deal, and this may work out in certain situations, but overall growth or consistency makes your company enticing. Outside of financials, strategic buyers seem to focus on how it lines up with the current business they are operating. Room for development is a trait that I’ve learned many potential buyers seek. With wanting to bring your business into a current facility, or operating under the same name, buyers want to be able to see the room for growth. Along with that, the capability to adapt is a key aspect because any time new management is put in place, there may be at least a few altercations. Looking forward, what is going to be the challenge is getting your financials back to where they were pre-COVID. This is easier said than done, but a few good places to start are re-accumulating an employee base, providing a safe environment, following all government regulations, and providing the same pre-COVID quality of service and food.

With mergers and acquisitions, if you were one of the larger firms such as OPES Acquisition Corp. or Inspire Brands, this would be an opportunity to make significant acquisitions. When smaller brands struggle, they can swoop in and save the day by acquiring them. The stage has been set in a sense for the next several years with different outlooks. Well-performing chains with drive thrus and delivery options yield high multiples, while frustrated owners are selling struggling chains. Activity will be fueled by cheap debt thanks to low interest rates, private equity groups, other investors that remain ready to spend, and strategic investors eager to get bigger. There is a lot of money that private equity firms have held onto for 2021, along with SPACs making their presence known. Getting your restaurant’s financials back up to normal and showing that your business has withheld and adapted with the times will make it more attractive.

Along with the direct work in the restaurant industry, the delivery options such as Grubhub, DoorDash, Postmates and Uber Eats have exploded, and their presence has been known in the mergers and acquisitions industry. DoorDash is the industry leader with 50% market share, Uber acquired Postmates, with GrubHub in a close second. Before COVID, many companies said they intentionally avoided these apps because the cost to the business seemed too high. Once COVID hit, these apps were essential to keeping many businesses open. There was a survey taken with 2,500 consumers in July that stated that 52% of them would avoid restaurants and bars even after they open back up. Showing your capability to work with these companies as efficiently and effectively as possible will be a contributing factor to the success in your business for the next several years.

The restaurant industry will overcome this pandemic and to adjust to what the new normal will look like. With the vaccines being distributed, the light at the end of the tunnel seems visible. Although it will not be an overnight process, the economy will recover and there will be new adaptations to get used to. Restaurants are opening back up and doing all they can, and the competition is eager to do the most they can with the government regulations. It may be far from over with limited capacities and dine-in options still somewhat limited, but local companies are doing everything they can to accrue the income to keep the doors open. Local restaurants need this, and there is a difficult balance that needs to be found. The hope is there, and the future is bright for both buy-side but sell-side M&A in the restaurant industry.

SOURCES

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Why 2021 Is A Seller’s Market

A Seller’s Market Versus a Buyer’s Market

In a seller's M&A market, excess demand for assets that are in limited supply gives sellers more power when it comes to pricing. Such demand can be generated and galvanized by circumstances that include a strong economy, lower interest rates, high cash balances, and solid earnings. Other factors that can instill confidence in buyers—leading to more bidders willing to pay a higher purchase price—include strong brand equity, significant market share, innovative technology, and streamlined distributions that are difficult to emulate or recreate from scratch.

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