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Find the right business. Know exactly what you are buying.

Buying a business is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make, and finding the right one is half the battle. I help you search, then give you an independent, operator's view of the deal: the real numbers, the real risks, and a clear written assessment so you can make the call with confidence.

Book a free call → See services and pricing

My independence

Paid by you. Never by the other side.

When I represent you as a buyer, my only client is you. Plenty of people in this world are paid by the brand or the seller on the other side of your deal. I am not.

01

No commissions from franchise brands or sellers. Never a dime from the other side on a deal where I represent you. If a deal looks wrong, I have nothing to gain by telling you otherwise.

02

Written pricing. You know the cost before we start. No surprises.

03

Your information stays private. I sign an NDA on request and never share your numbers.

04

One side per deal. I also broker business sales. If I represent the seller of a business you are looking at, I will tell you up front and will not also advise you on it.

Services and pricing

Clear scope. Clear pricing.

Every engagement starts with a free intro call and a written proposal with clear pricing. Work is done by video nationwide, or in person in Idaho's Treasure Valley.

Buyer Search Partner

For: anyone who wants an experienced partner to help them find and buy the right business, not just a review of one deal.

  • We start with where you are in your journey: your goals, budget, skills, and the lifestyle you want
  • Help narrowing down industries and business types that fit you, including franchises if that is the right path
  • Active help finding opportunities, including listings and businesses that are not obvious
  • A sounding board on every option you are considering, with straight feedback
  • Ongoing access while you search, with formal evaluations added when a deal gets serious
Custom quote
Hourly
or a monthly retainer, based on your searchAs long as your search takes

Business Acquisition Review

For: buyers looking at an existing independent business, a franchise resale, or a listing on the market.

  • Review of the listing, financials, and seller's discretionary earnings, including which add-backs hold up and which do not
  • Owner dependence and key person risk: what walks out the door when the seller does
  • Valuation check against the asking price and the multiple
  • A list of red flags and questions for the seller, plus an offer strategy
  • A written assessment and a 60 minute review call
  • Actively looking across the market and want a partner to compare options and spitball ideas? See Buyer Search Partner above.
Starting at
$2,500
flat fee, scaled to deal sizeAbout 2 weeks
Buying a franchise?

Franchise Evaluation

For: anyone seriously considering a franchise, before you sign the agreement.

  • Business review of the Franchise Disclosure Document, focused on the items that predict success: initial investment (Item 7), financial performance (Item 19), unit openings, transfers, and closures (Item 20), and the franchisor's financials (Item 21)
  • A call script for talking to current and former franchisees, so you get the answers you are really looking for
  • Territory and competition review
  • A written assessment: the strengths, the red flags, and the questions and terms worth pushing on before you sign
  • Want something less formal, like a sounding board while you compare brands? I will put together a custom quote based on time instead of a flat fee.
Starting at
$2,500
flat feeAbout 10 business days

What you get

An assessment you can act on, not a stack of notes.

Every evaluation ends with a one page summary like this, backed by the full analysis. Each line tells you what I found and how much it should worry you.

Franchise Evaluation Summary

Sample Brand Co. · Home services
Prepared for: Sample Client
Open questions
AreaFindingRating
Initial investmentFDD Item 7Total cost to open runs well above the low end shown. Plan for the high end.Watch
Unit performanceFDD Item 19Averages lean on a few top units. Median unit is far lower.Risk
Closures and transfersFDD Item 20Turnover in recent years is elevated for a system this size.Risk
Ongoing feesFDD Item 6Royalty, marketing, and technology fees take a large share of revenue at the median unit.Watch
Training and supportFDD Item 11Strong training program. Marketing fund value is worth confirming on franchisee calls.Solid
TerritoryYour marketGood demand and few direct competitors nearby.Solid
Before you sign: Ask about a larger protected territory and a reduced or deferred royalty in year one, and have a franchise attorney review the agreement. The decision is yours.

Sample for illustration only. Brand, client, and findings are fictional.

Questions

Common questions from buyers.

Can you help me find a business to buy?

Yes, and it is my favorite work. Buyer Search Partner starts with where you are in your journey, then I help you narrow the field, find opportunities, and talk through each one. It is priced hourly or as a monthly retainer, depending on how active your search is.

When should I bring you in?

As early as possible, ideally once you have the Franchise Disclosure Document or the seller's financials and before you sign anything binding. The earlier we start, the more leverage you have to negotiate.

Do you take money from franchisors or sellers?

Never from franchise brands. And when I represent you as a buyer, I take nothing from the seller or their broker. That is what lets me tell you honestly when a deal looks wrong.

Are you a business broker?

Yes, I also broker business sales for sellers. When you hire me as a buyer, I am paid only by you, and I never represent both sides of the same deal.

Do you review the franchise agreement or purchase contract?

I review the business side: the numbers, operations, and risks. The legal review belongs with a franchise or business attorney, and I work alongside yours. I can recommend good ones if you need them.

Do you work outside Idaho?

Yes. Evaluations are done by video for buyers anywhere in the United States.

Next step

Thinking about buying? Let's look before you leap.

A free 20 minute call to talk through what you are looking for, or the deal you are already considering.

Book a call →
Emailharry@maaloufadvisory.com
Based inMeridian, Idaho. Serving buyers nationwide.
Response timeWithin one business day.