Atlantic Business Brokerage, Inc. Research
Advisory Approach
Atlantic Business Brokerage is a niche business brokerage firm specializing in franchise resale transactions nationwide since 1987. The firm operates on a clear mission: helping sellers sell businesses and buyers buy businesses as quickly and easily as possible. Their thesis centers on the unique complexity of franchise transactions, where franchisor approval processes, transfer requirements, and confidentiality concerns create significant barriers that require specialized expertise.
The firm believes that selling a franchised business is fundamentally different from selling independent businesses. They emphasize the importance of understanding each franchise's specific transfer requirements, navigating franchisor approval processes, and maintaining confidentiality throughout the sale process. Unlike generalist business brokers, Atlantic Business Brokerage has developed deep expertise in the franchise resale ecosystem, maintaining relationships with major franchisors, lenders, and franchise buyers across multiple restaurant and entertainment concepts.
Sector Focus
Atlantic Business Brokerage concentrates primarily on food and beverage franchises, with particular depth in quick-service and fast-casual restaurant concepts. Their core focus areas include:
Food & Beverage Franchises: Smoothie shops (Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Smoothie King), sandwich concepts (Jimmy John's, Sub & Sandwich franchises), dessert and bakery concepts (CRUMBL Cookies, DQ Grill & Chill), and other QSR franchises.
Entertainment & Recreation: Trampoline parks, fitness centers, and indoor adventure facilities.
Retail & Consumer Services: While their primary focus is food franchises, they also handle certain retail and service business sales.
The firm's industry expertise is particularly strong in the multi-unit franchise space, where they've facilitated sales of portfolio transactions involving multiple locations. Their understanding of unit-level economics, franchise financial metrics (EBITDA, cash flow), and valuation methodologies specific to franchised businesses differentiates them from generalist business brokers who may treat franchise sales like independent business sales.
Deal Track Record
Atlantic Business Brokerage has been facilitating business sales for over 37 years (founded 1987), handling "countless" transactions according to their website. The firm's long history and continued operation demonstrate sustained success in the franchise resale market.
While individual deal records are not publicly disclosed due to confidentiality requirements common in business brokerage, the firm maintains an active listing portfolio with deal sizes typically ranging from $1M to $3.8M in total enterprise value. Recent and current listings include:
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe multi-unit operations (Ohio, Tennessee) — $1.1M-$2.4M TEV
- CRUMBL Cookie franchises (Indiana) — $2.67M TEV with $795K+ EBITDA
- DQ Grill & Chill locations including real estate (Illinois, Indiana) — $1.66M-$1.69M TEV
- Jimmy John's multi-unit with drive-thru (Michigan) — $2.17M TEV with $495K+ EBITDA
- Smoothie King drive-thru locations (Mississippi) — $1.03M TEV
- Indoor adventure and trampoline park facilities (Massachusetts) — $3.8M TEV
The firm claims most businesses are sold or under contract within their six-month selling timeline, indicating efficient deal execution and strong buyer access.
Process & Fee Structure
Atlantic Business Brokerage operates on a commission-only model with no upfront fees, retainers, or marketing costs. Key aspects of their fee structure:
- Success fee only: The firm only gets paid when they successfully sell the business
- No hidden costs: No upfront charges, deposits, marketing expenses, or retainer fees
- Risk alignment: If they don't sell the business, the seller owes nothing
While the specific success fee percentage is not publicly disclosed, this commission-only approach aligns the firm's incentives with the seller's success — they only earn revenue by closing transactions.
Selling Process:
- Initial Analysis: Free business evaluation with no obligation
- Valuation: Professional assessment of market value
- Marketing: Discreet promotion through multiple channels (websites, print media, direct mail, proprietary buyer network)
- Buyer Qualification: Vetting serious, qualified buyers
- Negotiation: Representing seller interests throughout
- Franchisor Coordination: Managing franchise transfer requirements and approvals
- Closing Support: Arranging financing, preparing closing documents, consummating the sale
Timeline: Six-month standard selling period, with many transactions closing before the deadline. The firm emphasizes a seamless, confidential process that minimizes disruption to the seller's ongoing business operations.
Buyer Network
Atlantic Business Brokerage has built and maintained an extensive network of buyers over 37 years in business:
- Existing and former business owners: A proprietary database of entrepreneurs looking to acquire, expand, or relocate operations
- Franchise buyers: Individuals and groups specifically seeking franchise opportunities
- Multi-unit operators: Established franchisees looking to add locations to their portfolios
- First-time buyers: Individuals transitioning from employment to business ownership
- Financing partners: Relationships with lenders who can facilitate buyer financing
The firm also maintains hand-in-hand relationships with major franchisors, positioning them to efficiently match qualified buyers with franchise opportunities. For franchise resales, they understand which buyers meet franchisor requirements and can navigate the approval process.
Competitive Positioning
Atlantic Business Brokerage differentiates from other business brokerages through several key advantages:
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Franchise specialization: Unlike generalist business brokers, they focus exclusively on franchise resale, giving them deep expertise in franchise transfer requirements, valuation methodologies, and buyer qualification.
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Commission-only model: By working strictly on success fees with no upfront costs, they align their incentives with seller outcomes and reduce risk for business owners.
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Confidentiality expertise: The firm emphasizes discretion throughout the selling process, with marketing approaches designed to maintain confidentiality. Many buyers and sellers never meet until an offer is formalized.
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Longevity and reputation: Founded in 1987, the firm's 37-year history demonstrates sustained success and industry credibility.
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Personal service: As a smaller firm (2-10 employees), they emphasize one-on-one attention and customized service over high-volume transaction processing.
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Franchisor relationships: Direct relationships with major franchisors enable efficient navigation of transfer requirements and buyer approvals.
Not a Fit If
Atlantic Business Brokerage is not well-suited for:
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Businesses below $1M TEV: Their listings typically start at $1M+ in enterprise value
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Non-franchise businesses seeking investment bank representation: Companies looking for institutional M&A processes, private equity exits, or complex transaction structures may be better served by investment banks
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Sellers wanting a limited process: The firm's value is in exhaustive buyer outreach; sellers wanting to restrict marketing to a few buyers may not benefit from their full-service approach
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Businesses with significant pending litigation or operational issues: While not explicitly stated as a criterion, their emphasis on clean, marketable businesses suggests they avoid distressed situations
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Public companies or large corporations: Their focus is on small, privately-held franchised businesses, not corporate divestitures
Team
The firm is led by three key professionals:
Dan Puciato — Principal. Dan is an International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) member since 2017, with specialty areas in Entertainment & Recreation, Food & Beverage, and Retail Trade. He has been with the firm for many years and leads the franchise resale practice.
Jeff Percey — Business Broker. Jeff is recognized as a "Franchise Resale Expert" with particular expertise in restaurant franchise transactions.
William Fuller — Business Broker. William supports the firm's franchise resale operations.
The company maintains a small, focused team of 2-10 employees, allowing for personalized service and direct principal involvement in each transaction.
Geographic Coverage
Primary markets: Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania (headquartered in Lutherville Timonium, MD)
Secondary markets: The firm's listing portfolio shows transactions across multiple states including Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Illinois, Mississippi, Michigan, and Massachusetts, demonstrating nationwide capability in franchise resale.
The firm's "Franchise Resale Specialists nationwide" positioning indicates they can facilitate franchise transactions across the United States, particularly for major franchise brands with multi-state footprints.