The McFarland Group, an advisory firm that has supported more than 200 ownership transitions over two decades, has expanded its focus on M&A advisory for closely held business owners evaluating sales to external buyers. The firm's M&A practice encompasses both sell-side and buy-side transactions, including exit readiness assessment, due diligence preparation, buyer identification, and transaction management through close. Engagements are structured for owner-led businesses with revenue between $5 million and $100 million, a segment the firm has served extensively through its management buyout work.
According to the firm, the expanded focus reflects a growing number of owner-clients who are considering an external sale alongside or in place of an internal transition to management. The firm's approach to M&A follows a patient, senior-led model that has defined its broader advisory work since founding. Byron McFarland and the principal team remain directly engaged throughout each engagement rather than passing work to junior associates.
"Selling a business to an external buyer is one of the most consequential decisions an owner will make, and it deserves more time than most processes give it," said Byron McFarland, founder of The McFarland Group. "Our work brings the same calm, structured approach we have built over two decades of ownership-transition advisory. The goal is clarity for the owner, not speed for the dealmaker."
Engagements at The McFarland Group typically run six to twenty-four months. The firm engages early in an owner's planning horizon, often before the business is brought to market, so that questions of readiness, deal structure, and buyer fit can be addressed in sequence rather than under pressure. "Owners deserve to know what they are walking into before they commit to a process," McFarland said. "When we slow the moment down at the front end, the entire transaction tends to go better at every step that follows."
Across more than 200 ownership transitions, The McFarland Group has supported transactions totaling more than $3 billion. The firm's additional practice areas include management buyout advisory and performance equity compensation design, both of which complement the M&A practice for owners evaluating multiple paths forward.
The implications for business leaders are significant. For owners considering a sale, the extended timeline allows for thorough preparation, potentially leading to better deal terms and smoother transitions. The emphasis on senior-led engagements ensures that decision-makers remain directly involved, reducing the risk of miscommunication or misaligned priorities. In an industry often focused on rapid closures, The McFarland Group's approach underscores the value of patience and careful planning in achieving favorable outcomes.
More information on the firm's M&A advisory is available at themcfarlandgroup.com/service/m-and-a-advisory-services.
