Low Fees - we have a low 6% success fee instead of the 10 to 12% charged by most brokers.
NO Exclusive Contracts - we are only paid if WE bring the buyer.
NO Long-Term Contract - our program is month to month, you can cancel anytime.
Free Valuation - we give accurate valuation and sale guidance that franchisors are legally unable to provide to their franchisees. To find out what your business is worth CLICK HERE for your free valuation.
Expert Advice - We understand the franchise re-sale brokerage market. We give accurate valuation and sale guidance that franchisors are legally unable to provide to their franchisees.
Technologically Efficient - Through the use of an automated CRM system, we maximize the efficient and timely flow of information to buyers. Additionally, we are heavily invested in SEO/online marketing to ensure a constant flow of new buyers. In sum, via technology, we are able to increase our reach to a national audience of buyers while reducing our advertising and project management costs. We pass the savings to our clients.
Centrally-located - Most "national" business brokerages are actually just very loose, decentralized offices operated by individual brokers. The communication between the home base and the individual offices is often poor, inconsistent. The marketing methods and skill sets of the individual offices vary widely. SMDA operates from a central office where all marketing, NDA processing and buyer qualification is handled. This allows us to be streamlined and efficient. In the age of the Internet, national marketing can easily happen from a local office.
Representative Franchise Re-Sales
Historically, most franchisors have not effectively assisted in the sale of existing franchises. There are many reasons for this:
Franchisors are focused on assisting with new sales. Startup or new franchises are pre-packaged and more easily-understood by prospective new franchisees. Conversely, franchisors often not trained in understanding how to market going-concern businesses and struggle to effectively market where resale buyers are searching.
Item 19 - Due to Item 19 in the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC), Franchisors are legally restrained from giving advice regarding business valuation or advise on the sale of going-concern franchises.
Even though franchisors have the freedom to develop the information they include in Item 19, it is unlawful for any franchise seller to make a financial performance representation that is not true or not substantiated when it is made. Because of this, most franchisors give no guidance on business valuation or the re-sale process.
Furthermore, franchisors do not often have experience assisting owners with the sale of their long-held business.
For these reasons, few resources have been devoted by franchisors aimed to assist in the sale of existing franchisees. This is not to denigrate franchisors, just demonstrate that they are primarily geared toward selling new franchises and operationally supporting their network. And due to harsh potential penalties, they refrain from giving guidance or making statements regarding business valuation or the sale process.
Typically, franchise owners are steered towards local main street business brokers. Unfortunately, these brokers mostly use a broken model - high commissions, long-term, exclusive contracts, and poor communication, especially when things are not going well.