Amerivest Group Research
Advisory Approach
Amerivest Group is a Florida-based business brokerage and M&A advisory firm founded in 1983 by Chuck Spallitta. For over 40 years, the firm has specialized in guiding business owners through the complex process of buying or selling businesses in the lower middle market ($1M-$25M revenue range, transaction values from $100K to $20M+). The firm's thesis is built on four pillars: confidentiality, integrity, professionalism, and results. They believe that selling or buying a business is one of the most important financial and personal decisions an owner can make, requiring more than just listing a company for sale—it requires fair, honest counsel and guidance through every stage from valuation to closing.
What sets Amerivest apart is their commitment to aligned incentives: they operate on a success-fee basis with no upfront retainer required, ensuring their focus remains squarely on achieving successful closings for their clients. They bring together Wall Street-level financial insight with real-world entrepreneurship and hands-on deal execution, pairing global experience with deep local market knowledge across Florida.
Sector Focus
Amerivest Group has built broad expertise across traditional main street and lower middle market sectors, with particular strength in consumer services, business services, and retail businesses. Their deal history spans multiple industries:
Consumer Services: Dry cleaning and laundry services (multiple transactions), barber shops, pet grooming businesses, beauty salons, and auto service/repair shops. They understand the nuances of service businesses with tenured customer bases and recurring revenue models.
Business Services: Janitorial and commercial cleaning companies, property management firms, travel agencies, and staffing businesses. They have experience with both B2B and B2C service models.
Retail & Distribution: Gas stations and convenience stores, grocery stores, flower shops, wine and beverage distributors, and chemical distribution companies with operations in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Construction & Trades: General contractors specializing in high-end residential construction, HVAC mechanical contractors, landscaping and irrigation services companies.
Financial Services: Independent property & casualty insurance agencies, real estate brokerages.
Agriculture: Wholesale nurseries and plant growers serving interior landscapers, retailers, and commercial landscapers.
Deal Track Record
Amerivest Group has closed hundreds of transactions over four decades. Their publicly tracked deals include:
Notable Transactions:
- Wholesale Nursery: $6.3M sale of a 40+ year premier nursery servicing interior-scapers, retailers, and landscapers (Apopka, FL) - facilitated sale to individual buyer
- HVAC Company: $12M mechanical engineering company with commercial, institutional, and industrial HVAC expertise (Miami, FL)
- Auto Body Shop: $4.5M sale of one of Miami's largest body shops to a search fund
- Property Manager: $1.7M sale of property management firm with 30+ years overseeing homeowner, condo, and commercial associations to private equity buyer
- Irrigation Services: $3.2M sale of commercial irrigation design, installation, and maintenance company (Palm Beach, FL)
- Interior Design Firm: $2.5M sale of custom cabinetry and interior design firm with 40+ years in high-end solutions (Jupiter, FL)
- Portable Sanitation: $2.3M sale of family-owned portable toilet provider
- Multiple Dry Cleaners: Sales ranging from $330K-$925K across Florida (Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Boynton Beach, Aventura, Miami)
- Insurance Agencies: Multiple agency sales including a $600K independent P&C agency with nearly 40 years serving West Palm Beach
- Auto Repair: $1.2M sale of auto and fleet repair shop focused on commercial clients with 60+ years of experience
- General Contractor: $1.1M sale of award-winning construction company with nearly 40 years in high-end residential (West Palm Beach)
- Chemical Distributor: $250K buy-side representation for chemical distributor with Latin American/Caribbean operations
- Wine Distributor: $165K sale of premier Spanish wine distributor (Miami)
Process & Fee Structure
Amerivest Group runs a streamlined sell-side process tailored to main street and lower middle market businesses:
Engagement Structure:
- No upfront fees: Success-only compensation ensures aligned incentives
- Fee structure: Success fee typically 8-12% of transaction value for main street businesses under $1M; percentage scales down for larger transactions
- Timeline: 3-9 months from listing to closing, depending on business complexity and market conditions
- Exclusivity: Required for all sell-side engagements
Process: The firm begins with comprehensive business valuation and preparation of marketing materials, then leverages their vetted buyer network (individual buyers, private equity groups, family offices, and strategic acquirers). They handle all buyer inquiries, facilitate due diligence, negotiate terms, and manage the closing process end-to-end. For businesses with real estate components, their dual licensing (business brokerage and real estate) simplifies transaction structure.
Buyer Network
Amerivest Group maintains relationships with:
- Individual Buyers: High-net-worth individuals and entrepreneurs seeking business ownership, including E-2 visa candidates
- Private Equity Firms: Lower middle market PE firms, including search funds
- Family Offices: Multi-generational wealth families seeking acquisition opportunities
- Strategic Buyers: Industry consolidators and competitors looking for add-on acquisitions
- Foreign Investors: International buyers, particularly from Latin America, seeking U.S. business opportunities
Their buyer network is concentrated in Florida and the Southeast U.S., though they have facilitated transactions with buyers from across the U.S. and internationally.
Competitive Positioning
Amerivest Group differentiates through:
-
40+ Year Track Record: Four decades of continuous operation through multiple economic cycles, providing stability and market knowledge that newer firms cannot match
-
Dual Licensing: Licensed for both business brokerage and real estate transactions in Florida, enabling seamless handling of deals that include real estate components (common in main street transactions)
-
Success-Only Model: No upfront fees means the firm only gets paid when the business sells—aligning incentives and reducing risk for business owners
-
Deep Local Expertise: Florida-focused with offices across South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach), providing granular market knowledge and buyer relationships
-
Professional Affiliations: Members of Business Brokers of Florida (BBF) and International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), adhering to strict standards in confidentiality, valuation, and ethics
-
Principal-Level Attention: Senior professionals (not junior brokers) handle each engagement from start to finish
Not a Fit If
Amerivest Group typically declines:
- Businesses outside their Florida/Southeast U.S. geographic focus
- Transactions under $100K or over $25M in enterprise value
- Startups or pre-revenue companies (they focus on operating businesses with track records)
- Highly distressed businesses requiring turnaround expertise
- Businesses unwilling to grant exclusivity
- Complex cross-border transactions outside their expertise
Team
The firm is led by seasoned professionals with diverse backgrounds:
Frank Rubin – President. Leads the overall strategic direction of the firm.
Alberto Salazar – Managing Partner. Key dealmaker specializing in main street transactions including dry cleaners, gas stations, grocery stores, and distribution companies. Multiple testimonials highlight his professionalism, patience, and negotiation skills.
JM De Los Rios – Managing Director. Focuses on food distribution, real estate agencies, and travel agencies. Clients praise his thoroughness in document preparation and marketing that produces cash buyers quickly.
David Kammet – Managing Director. Former business owner with 30+ years of experience. Specializes in dry cleaning and has deep personal experience as both a buyer and seller of businesses.
John Mendozza – Vice President. Known for competence, integrity, and relationship-building. Focuses on delivering results through genuine client focus.
Renato Mariani – Vice President. Clients highlight his strategic approach to matching buyers and sellers, clear communication, and expertise in achieving smooth transactions.
Scott Levine – Managing Director. Brings 25+ years of corporate experience including Fortune 500 executive and director-level positions.
Alberto Hallivis – Vice President. Clients describe him as "head and shoulders above the rest" for his listening skills and execution. Successfully closed restaurant equipment supply and insurance agency transactions.
Chuck Spallitta – Founder (1983-2018). Established the firm on four pillars: confidentiality, integrity, professionalism, and results. His legacy continues through the firm's culture and commitment to fair, honest counsel.
Geographic Coverage
Primary Markets: Florida, with particularly deep coverage of South Florida:
- Miami-Dade County
- Broward County (Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs headquarters)
- Palm Beach County (Boca Raton, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach)
Secondary Markets: Southeast U.S. on a deal-by-deal basis
International: The firm has experience with foreign investors, particularly from Latin America, seeking U.S. business acquisitions, including E-2 visa transactions.