Commercial & Business Brokerage Group Research
Advisory Approach
Commercial & Business Brokerage Group (CREBB Group) is a Cincinnati-based business brokerage and commercial real estate advisory firm serving the lower middle market and main street business segments. Led by Russell Kitzberger, a Managing Director with over 20 years of experience in commercial real estate and going concern valuation, the firm operates at the intersection of business sales and commercial property transactions. Their thesis is that business ownership transitions require integrated expertise in both the underlying enterprise and the real estate assets that often accompany going-concern sales.
The firm's approach emphasizes consultative, advisory-style guidance rather than transactional brokerage. They position themselves as trusted partners who guide business owners through complex transitions, whether selling a business, acquiring a new venture, or restructuring real estate holdings. This integrated approach is particularly valuable for businesses where the real estate component represents a significant portion of enterprise value—a common scenario in the main street market they serve.
Sector Focus
CREBB Group maintains broad industry coverage spanning main street business categories. Their practice encompasses retail and e-commerce businesses, food and beverage establishments (restaurants, food service, specialty food retailers), business services firms, healthcare and dental practices, manufacturing companies, and real estate-holding businesses. This breadth reflects the main street market reality where successful local brokers must be generalists capable of handling diverse business types rather than deep specialists in a single vertical.
Within food and beverage, the firm has demonstrated transaction experience with establishments like butcher shops and delicatessens. Their retail expertise covers both storefront operations and e-commerce businesses. The business services practice includes professional services firms and B2B service providers. Manufacturing experience encompasses discrete manufacturing operations typical of the Midwest industrial base.
Deal Track Record
Based on publicly available information, CREBB Group has completed business brokerage transactions in the main street segment. A confirmed transaction includes the sale of an established butcher shop and deli in the Cincinnati metro northwest suburbs for $85,000 in November 2024. The business, operating for over two decades in the community, included equipment, walk-in coolers, and leasehold improvements—representing a prototypical main street going-concern sale.
The firm's commercial real estate practice shows significant transaction volume, with over $1.9 million in closed sales across a price range of $170,000 to $910,000, according to third-party profile data. This suggests a practice focused on smaller commercial property transactions alongside business sales, consistent with a main street brokerage model.
Process & Fee Structure
CREBB Group employs a comprehensive process for business sales that includes valuation services, buyer screening and qualification, marketing and outreach, negotiation support, and closing coordination. For commercial real estate transactions, they provide similar end-to-end services from property listing through closing.
The firm does not publicly disclose specific fee structures. As a real estate-licensed business brokerage (rather than a FINRA-registered broker-dealer), their compensation model likely follows standard real estate commission structures rather than the Lehman formulas used by investment banks. Typical main street business brokers charge success fees in the 8-12% range for smaller transactions, though CREBB Group's specific fee schedule is not publicly available.
Buyer Network
CREBB Group's buyer network consists of local entrepreneurs, individual investors, and small business acquirers in the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana tri-state region. As main street transactions typically sell to individuals rather than private equity firms or strategic corporations, their network focuses on qualified local buyers seeking business ownership opportunities. The firm maintains relationships with eXp Commercial brokers nationwide for cooperative transactions and referral opportunities.
Competitive Positioning
CREBB Group differentiates through its integrated commercial real estate and business brokerage capabilities. Many main street businesses have significant real estate components—whether owned property, long-term leases, or expansion needs—and CREBB Group's ability to handle both the business sale and property transaction provides a value proposition versus specialists in only one domain. Their team structure, including dedicated marketing and technology personnel, suggests a more systematic approach than solo practitioner brokers.
The firm's positioning emphasizes local market expertise in Cincinnati and the tri-state region, combined with the resources of a larger brokerage network through eXp Commercial. This hybrid model offers local relationships with institutional-level support services.
Not a Fit If
CREBB Group is not suited for larger lower middle market transactions requiring institutional buyer outreach, private equity relationships, or complex deal structures. Businesses with enterprise values above $2-3 million, companies requiring SEC-registered broker-dealer representation (such as those with securities-based structures), or transactions involving cross-border elements would be better served by traditional investment banks with FINRA registration and institutional buyer networks.
Additionally, businesses in highly specialized industries requiring deep technical expertise (such as technology startups, healthcare technology, or regulated industries) may find more specialized advisory firms better suited to their needs.
Team
Russell Kitzberger serves as Managing Director and Lead Advisor, bringing over 20 years of commercial real estate and going concern valuation experience. He holds Real Estate Salesperson License #2006000930, Certified General Appraiser License #2012001695, and maintains memberships with the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) and M&A Source (Member #70691658). His background includes valuation work and commercial real estate brokerage.
The supporting team includes Mandi Chandler as Marketing Manager, responsible for targeted marketing and outreach programs; Jennifer Clements as Client Coordinator, managing client experience and scheduling; and Evan Webb as Technology Analyst, optimizing systems and CRM operations. This team structure suggests a focus on marketing effectiveness and operational efficiency in client service delivery.
Geographic Coverage
CREBB Group is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio (8044 Montgomery Rd, Suite 700) and serves the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana tri-state region. Their practice focuses on the Cincinnati metropolitan area and surrounding markets, with capability to facilitate transactions nationally through eXp Commercial's broker network. The firm's local roots and regional focus position them as a market expert for Cincinnati-area business owners seeking exit or acquisition advisory services.
Real Estate Brokerage Affiliation
All real estate brokerage services are provided through eXp Commercial, the commercial division of eXp Realty Holdings. CREBB Group operates independently while leveraging eXp Commercial's brokerage infrastructure, compliance systems, and national agent network for cooperative transactions.