Lucido Global Business Brokers

Lucido Global Business Brokers

Adding Value, Creating Wealth

  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Suite of Services
    • Our Team
  • Buying a Business
    • Buying a Business
    • Buying a Business Tutorial
  • Selling a Business
    • Selling a Business
    • Selling a Business Tutorial
  • Visas & Immigration
  • Businesses For Sale
    • Featured Businesses
    • Florida Businesses
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

A Short Story All Family-Owned Businesses Should Read

By Rod Burns Jan 15

When it comes to selling a family-owned business there are no shortage of complicating factors, but one in particular pops up quite often. This article contains a true story about a popular family business that was built up from the ground up only to later meet a very sad ending. While this is just one story, there are countless similar situations all across the country.

Once upon a time, there was a family-owned pizza dough company that had millions in sales. They sold their pizza dough to a range of businesses including restaurants and supermarkets. The founder had five children and split the business equally amongst them. Complicating matters was the fact that the children didn’t feel compelled to work in the family business. As a result, they turned the operation of the business over to two members of the third generation.

Once the founder’s children reached retirement age, they decided that they wanted to sell. So, they hired a business broker. The business broker began the search for an appropriate buyer, however, there was little interest. After considerable effort, the business broker found a successful businessman who offered to buy the pizza dough business for 50% of the sales, which was a good price. The business broker took the offer to the five owners and that is when the problems began.

A huge family argument was unleashed and the business broker was cut out of the loop. Later the offer was turned down flat and worst of all there was no counter-proposal, no attempt to negotiate price, terms, conditions or anything else. In short, the offer was finished and done. In the end, the business broker had lost several months of hard work.

Wondering what had happened, the business broker learned that two of the third-generation members who had been operating the business didn’t want to sell out of fear of losing their jobs. Over two decades later, the business has experienced almost no growth and is essentially breaking even. The owners, now in their 70s will likely never receive anything for their equity.

What you have just read is a true story, although the specific business type has been changed. This story serves to outline the problems that can arise when it comes time to sell a family business, especially if there is no agreement in place. Passing on this deal meant that the five children lost a considerable amount of money; this would have of course been money that could have made their retirement much more pleasant.

The story is both tragic and cautionary, in that this great business built from scratch by its founder was, in the end, left to flounder.

There is a moral to this story. Family-owned businesses need to have strict guidelines in place concerning issues such as salaries, benefits, what happens when one member wants to cash out and more. Such issues should be worked out with professionals, such as business brokers, years in advance.

Categories: Seller Articles

Prev
Next

Featured Businesses

Subscribe to our Newsletter

No worries, your information is safe with us. We hate spam too!

From Our Blog

5 Ways that Sellers Can Focus on the Positives

January 21, 2023

When you are looking to sell, always focus on the positive aspects of your business. Many business … Read More »

The Top 3 Reasons Why Deals Fall Through

January 14, 2023

No one likes to think about the deals that didn’t succeed. However, the fact of the matter is that … Read More »

The Four Essential Stages of a Closing

January 7, 2023

When it comes to reaching a successful closing, there are four important stages to keep in mind. In … Read More »

Take Inventory of Your Company

December 17, 2022

Most business owners don’t give a second thought to the idea of going to the doctor for an annual … Read More »

5 Elements for Buyers to Investigate

November 19, 2022

When you’re in the process of buying a business, it’s important to stay logical. No matter how good … Read More »

Defending Your Asking Price

November 12, 2022

When you’re putting your business on the market, one of the top considerations is your asking price. … Read More »

Global Business Brokers

Contact Us

Lucido Global Business Brokers
Keller Williams Coral Gables
550 Biltmore Way PH II A-B
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Office (305) 662-7325
Direct (954) 913-5464
rod@globalbusinessbrokers.net

Adding Value, Creating Wealth

  • 5 Ways that Sellers Can Focus on the Positives
  • The Top 3 Reasons Why Deals Fall Through
  • The Four Essential Stages of a Closing
  • Take Inventory of Your Company
  • 5 Elements for Buyers to Investigate

Join Our Team

Copyright © 2023 Lucido Global Business Brokers
MENU
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Suite of Services
    • Our Team
  • Buying a Business
    • Buying a Business
    • Buying a Business Tutorial
  • Selling a Business
    • Selling a Business
    • Selling a Business Tutorial
  • Visas & Immigration
  • Businesses For Sale
    • Featured Businesses
    • Florida Businesses
  • Blog
  • Contact Us