Exit Planning Techniques By Market

Selling a Food Processing Equipment and Supplies Business

Many business leaders say that now isn't the time to try to sell a food processing equipment and supplies business. Don't be deterred by economic uncertainty. There are plenty of reasons why this is the right time to put your food processing equipment and supplies business on the market.

You survived all the ups and downs of owning a business. Next, you'll need to prepare yourself to address the rigors of selling a food processing equipment and supplies business.

The business-for-sale market is extremely dynamic. That's why we think it's important for food processing equipment and supplies business owners to know that it's possible to sell a business in any economy. To improve sale outcomes, you will simply need to tailor your food processing equipment and supplies business to today's buyers.

Selling a Food Processing Equipment & Supplies Business to an Employee

Employee sales have pros and cons. A faithful employee may have the motivation and ability to continue to operate the business. If you need to sell quickly, the timeframe is condensed in an employee sale because you don't need to track down a buyer. Yet most employees lack the means to buy their employer's business at or near the asking price. A seller-financed deal may be necessary unless the employee has significant assets or investor backing.

Legal Concerns

In a food processing equipment and supplies business sale, the Letter of Intent contains the vital elements of the deal between the buyer and the seller . By the time the deal reaches the final contract, many of its features are set in stone. For sellers, that makes a close review of the Letter of Intent more than a formality - it's a critical juncture on the path to closing.

Average Timeframes

Hoping for a quick food processing equipment and supplies business sale? You may be disappointed. Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast rules about the length of time your business will be on the market. Pricing plays a role in sale length, but there are no guarantees that a fairly priced business will sell quickly. Before you can list your food processing equipment and supplies business, you'll need to invest as much as a year in preparing it for prospective buyers. Even though it's conceivable that an attractive opportunity could sell in weeks, an immediate flood of offers could indicate that the business is underpriced.

Share this article


Additional Resources for Entrepreneurs

Lists of Venture Capital and Private Equity Firms

Franchise Opportunities

Contributors

Business Glossary