Consumer Products
We understand selling consumer product companies.
Brands, distribution and margins — we position consumer product businesses for the buyers who can scale them.
We take the mystery out of multiples
Two businesses that look the same from the outside can sell for very different multiples. We show you:
- how your business grades on every factor buyers pay for
- what would raise (or lower) your multiple, and by how much
- a plan to get there, reviewed with you every six months
Where every sale starts
Hoping a buyer approaches you with a great offer isn't a strategy. Your Strategic Value Blueprint is.
- Know what it's worthNot a back-of-the-napkin number. We rebuild your financials, normalize them the way a buyer will, and score every factor that moves your multiple.
- See what moves itWe walk you through your fair market value and show how changes in your business would raise or lower the price.
- Build the strategySell next month or in five years. We review the plan with you every six months and revalue the business every year, or sooner if you need it.
How we sell a business
A single interested buyer isn't a sale. Working with hundreds of buyers at the same time takes a solid process, so every sale follows the same six steps.
- Valuation and planA detailed valuation of what your business is worth and why, and a plan built around your timeline.
- A dedicated buyer searchWe personally reach hundreds of qualified buyers for every business we take to market. We don't post a listing and hope.
- Round one: offers at the same timeBuyers submit offers by a set deadline. You compare them side by side in your owner portal and pick the strongest five to ten.
- You meet the finalistsYou meet and interview each of the five to ten buyers you moved forward before they go on to round two. Meanwhile they review detailed financials and get their questions answered.
- Round two: leverageFinalists submit letters of intent by a second deadline, and we negotiate until one wins.
- CloseAfter the letter of intent is signed, we guide the transaction through due diligence and the purchase agreement, and keep it on track to closing.
About six months from signing our engagement agreement to closing, for most sales. We never put an asking price on your business. Buyers compete, and the competition sets the number.
The Vista process
Why it works
- It starts with detail. Our valuation takes work. We request a lot of documents, ask a lot of questions and verify the answers. You get an accurate picture of what your business is worth and what's driving that value. When you sell, buyers won't find anything we haven't already found and disclosed. No surprises, no stress, a smooth closing.
- It brings the market to you. Every offer arrives on the same deadline, an average of 52 first-round offers per business. Not one offer every few days, each with a different deadline. We set the deadlines and run the process. You decide who to sell to.
- Competition sets the price. Buyers make their offers knowing they're competing with other buyers for your business. We never put an asking price on it.
- The leverage is yours. Sell on your own and you're usually negotiating with one buyer and one offer, so the buyer holds the leverage. With us you have many offers at the same time, so you hold it. You keep it through the final round: your finalists submit letters of intent by a second deadline, and every one of them knows you have other options.
- You choose the buyer. No lying awake wondering whether the one offer in hand is a good one. You'll see every offer side by side, move the best five to ten forward, meet them by video and interview them for fit (personality, philosophy, plans for your people) before you pick. You're not selling to just anyone.
- It closes. Buyers review the detailed financials before they submit a letter of intent, so there's no "we didn't know" renegotiation in due diligence.
Will people find out I'm selling?
- Buyers see a blind summary first. No name, no location detail that gives you away.
- Your name comes only after a signed confidentiality agreement.
What owners say
“With assistance from the professionals at Vista Business Group, I was able to purchase Miller Meats from the retiring owner. They assisted me and the former owner on a daily basis through the process of completing the transaction. I would recommend them to anyone looking to buy or sell a business.”
Businesses we've sold: Consumer Products
Traditional outdoor gear consumer products company with digital focus.
Retail / Auction CompanySouth Centralhas been acquired bya strategic buyerVista represented the sellerThis company sells restaurant supplies and new and used restaurant equipment via a retail store, including two private label brands. They also sell used restaurant equipment through an online auction service.
Meat Packing and Product DistributionVirginiahas been acquired bymanagementVista represented the sellerThe seller was ready to retire, preferred to sell the business to his manager, but wasn't sure he could swing the transaction.
Snack Foods/Granolahas been acquired bya strategic buyerVista represented the sellerA consumer-packaged goods company that produces five award winning flavors of granola.
Our client, a strategic buyer, has acquireda Distributor of hardware and agricultural related products. companyKansasVista represented the buyerThis company sold hardware and agricultural products to retail outlets. The owner was ready to retire.
Snack Foods/Granolahas been acquired bya strategic buyerVista represented the sellerThe company produces a granola product distributed throughout the Midwest.
Meat ProcessingKansashas been acquired bya corporate executiveVista represented the sellerThis company did custom butchering and sold some retail meat products. The owners were ready to retire.
Chewing Gum/Candyhas been acquired bya strategic buyerVista represented the sellerThe seller developed a unique formula of gum that restores brain health and boosts memory.