Working with a broker who understands the Tampa Bay and broader Florida market isn’t just about the process. It’s about knowing which buyers are active, what lenders are currently doing on SBA deals in your size range, and how to position your business against comparable listings that buyers are already looking at.
Lakeland
The “Safe Bet” List: Top Franchises Ranked by Lowest SBA Default Rates
To keep the data reliable, we look at charge-offs—instances where the borrower couldn’t repay and the SBA had to pay the lender guarantee. We’ve also filtered this list to brands with over 25 loans. Why? Because a brand with only 2 loans and 0 defaults doesn’t have a large enough sample size to prove it’s a “safe bet.”
Red Flags: Spotting Warning Signs in Buyers Approaching to Acquire Your Business
Buyers with pie-in-the-sky ideas about your business’s potential (ignoring market realities) or who nitpick every detail to drive the price down endlessly are trouble. Constant lowballing, changing terms mid-negotiation, or demanding concessions without justification shows a lack of respect and could signal they’re not serious—or they’re trying to wear you down.
Is Your Business Ready for Your Retirement? 🚀
Succession planning isn’t just about picking a successor; it’s about maximizing the monetary value of your life’s work. If you want to ensure a profitable transition, you need to start moving today.
De-Risking Your Business Before a Sale: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Do It
But even six to twelve months of focused de-risking can materially improve deal terms. Waiting until a business is listed is often too late—buyers can see through last-minute fixes.