Selling a Food Business

Planning

We start every project with a clean sheet of paper. We get to know the business at an early stage and consider with the client, it's unique propositions. We learn what it does, who it does it to and why it is valued by it’s customers.

Marketing Tools

We prepare various types of marketing information, such as teasers, Briefing Documents, investment synopsis and memoranda as appropriate to the transaction.

Research Potential Buyers

Thereafter, our research tools and methodologies bring many potential buyers to the project. Each is carefully reviewed to ensure that the deal can be financed. Also, a track record of acquisitions helps, but is not vital. We are also made aware of many acquirers' plans and where appropriate, will initiate discussions with lawyers and other corporate finance practices to establish if there is a "fit" between buyer and seller.

At each stage we ensure the client is in total agreement with our activities and will approve us to proceed to the next step, marketing.

Marketing Phase

Having reached agreement with the client as to the businesses we will approach, we establish a prospective buyer's initial interest in the opportunity before putting in place non-disclosure agreements. We only talk to Business owners or Board members if it’s a PLC. They will in time receive and review the Briefing Documents, meet the vendors and possibly visit the premises. Once a lengthy Q&A period is satisfied, we encourage offers to be made. These are all likely to be different and we compare them with our clients.

Review of Offers

Once we are in the position of receiving offers for the business, we actively compare, contrast and evaluate these with the client prior to a series of negotiations.

The objective is to get the best possible deal for our client, which may not be the highest price.

Legal Advice

From there, we assist the client to arrange legal representation and can introduce good quality, practical lawyers if required.

The legal process can be fraught with minor difficulties and it is our job to ensure that the client understands the complex issues that crop up and to interpret the jargon that sometimes appears.

Remember that the deal is always between the vendor and the buyer, not their advisers.