VR Business Brokers

What VR Business Brokers does

VR Business Brokers is a business brokerage and M&A advisory franchise organization founded in 1979, operating under the legal name VR Business Sales / Mergers & Acquisitions. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and owned by King Lombardi Acquisition, Inc. since 1999, VR runs an independently owned franchise office network that provides full-service intermediation for privately held, family-owned, and founder-operated businesses. The company operates two core service lines: VR Business Sales for transactions under $5 million (the core business, targeting small privately held businesses that represent roughly 97.3% of US companies) and VR Mergers & Acquisitions for transactions between $5 million and $35 million (positioned as the expanding opportunity segment).

The company's technology and tooling stack centers on proprietary assets built over six decades. Core systems include the VR Valuation Software Package (a custom version of recognized valuation software producing Broker's Opinion of Value, two-page summary documents, and certified appraisals), the VR Business Profile/Confidential Information Memorandum template, and the VR 20-Step methodology for both selling and buying a business. Supporting infrastructure includes the VR Master Business Intermediary Academy (MBI) with approximately 75 courses and 100+ hours of recorded training, Today's Business Owner monthly electronic magazine, a white paper library of approximately 200 articles, individualized WordPress franchisee websites, an international database of qualified buyers, the VR Buyer Alert Program, and the VR Buyer Tracking Database. No public API, SDK, or AI/ML capabilities are described in the available material.

VR's revenue model combines multiple streams: (1) transaction-based commissions earned by franchisees on closed sales, the dominant franchisee revenue source; (2) valuation services revenue from standalone Broker's Opinion of Value and certified appraisal engagements using VR's proprietary software; (3) inter-office referral fees for transactions outside a franchisee's territory; and (4) at the corporate/franchisor level, initial franchise fees (which bundle the VR Value Roll-out Program covering websites, software, training materials, and marketing supplies at no additional cost) plus ongoing royalties. The company serves SMB business owners (primarily Baby Boomer founders planning exit), buyers and entrepreneurs seeking acquisition opportunities, and lower-middle to mid-market companies requiring investment-banking-tier advisory services.

Name

VR Business Brokers

Legal name

VR Business Sales / Mergers & Acquisitions

Website

https://vrbusinessbrokers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

VR Business Brokers is a 1979-founded franchise business brokerage and M&A advisory organization that helps privately held businesses valued $250K to $35M+ sell, buy, and plan exits through a network of independently owned US and Canadian offices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Brokerage Services

NAICS

Offices of Real Estate Agents and Brokers (53121)

akta.pro primary industry

Sell-Side Business Brokerage (FSAEAIAC)

Keywords

• Business brokerage services
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Franchise business sales
• Business valuation services
• Exit planning advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Greenville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Business Sales Commissions: VR franchisees earn success fees/commissions upon completion of business sale transactions. The fee structure includes general sales and lower-middle market transactions. Transaction values range from $250,000 to $5+ million for core business sales, with M&A transactions ranging from $5 million to $35+ million.
2. Valuation Services: Franchisees can generate revenue from valuation services including two-page summary documents, Broker's Opinion of Value, and certified appraisals using VR's proprietary valuation software.
3. Referral Fees: VR mentions referral feed as part of their multiple revenue streams. Franchisees can refer business to other VR offices and potentially earn referral fees for transactions outside their territory.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels15 records

Core offering

VR Business Brokers operates a franchise network that provides business brokerage and mergers & acquisitions advisory services to owners of privately held, family-owned, and founder-operated businesses. The organization facilitates the sale, acquisition, and valuation of businesses valued under $5 million through its core VR Business Sales line, and lower-middle to mid-market companies valued $5 million to $35 million through VR Mergers & Acquisitions. Services span a structured 20-step sales process, business valuation, marketing, buyer/seller qualification, due diligence, negotiation, and transaction closing.

Product overview

VR Business Brokers operates as a business brokerage franchise organization offering two core service lines: VR Business Sales (transactions under $5 million) and VR Mergers & Acquisitions (transactions $5-$35 million). The company provides proprietary tools and platforms including VR Valuation Software, VR Business Profile/CIM documentation system, and the VR Master Business Intermediary Academy (MBI) with 100+ hours of training. Supporting products include Today's Business Owner Magazine (monthly e-magazine), VR White Paper Library (~200 articles), and the VR Value Roll-out Program (franchise launch package). The organization also offers structured methodologies via VR's 20 Steps processes for both buying and selling businesses. All products and services are delivered through a franchise model where independent offices operate under the VR brand using shared systems, training, and marketing resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Today's Business Owner: VR's Monthly Electronic Magazine that publishes articles and completed business transactions.
• VR Master Business Intermediary Academy (MBI)

Products and services

• VR Business Sales Core business brokerage service for privately held, family-owned, and founder-operated businesses valued under $5 million. Includes a 20-step sales process, business valuation, marketing, buyer qualification, and transaction management.
• VR Mergers & Acquisitions Acquisition and divestiture services for lower-middle and mid-market companies valued between $5 million and $35 million. Includes exit strategy planning, valuation, identifying and qualifying prospective acquirers, negotiations, and comprehensive transaction support.
• VR Franchise Opportunities Franchise ownership opportunity for operating a VR-branded business brokerage and M&A services office. Includes initial owner training, ongoing support, proprietary tools, and access to VR methodology, training systems, and franchisee network.
• VR Valuation Software Package Business valuation software platform enabling creation of two-page summary documents, Broker's Opinion of Value, and certified appraisals, as well as VR Business Profile documents for client engagements.
• VR Business Profile / Confidential Information Memorandum Professional business presentation document created for qualified buyers after NDA execution. Includes executive summary, recast financial statements, company history, management resumes, market analysis, and proposed price and terms.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sell-through rate of appraised businesses approaching 80% in top VR offices
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Business Brokers Association (IBBA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1979VR is the only founding member of the International Business Brokers Association still in existence. VR's training materials form the foundation of the association's certification program. VR and its executives donated time and resources to develop the Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) program.
• International Franchise AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVR is both a member and supplier of the International Franchise Association. Through this relationship, VR has access to relationships with thousands of franchisors and specializes in the resale of existing franchise locations.
• Top Producing VR OfficescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVR leverages its network of top-producing offices for training and mentorship. New franchisees attend functioning top-producing offices to observe weekly sales meetings and learn from experienced owners. This peer support system differentiates VR from competitors.
• Business-for-Sale Website PlatformsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVR markets businesses through top independent business-for-sale websites to increase exposure for listings. This multi-platform approach expands reach beyond VR's own websites.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sunbelt Business Brokers: The largest business brokerage franchise network in the United States, directly competing with VR across SMB business sales and M&A. Sunbelt's franchise model, training infrastructure, and customer profile mirror VR's.
• Transworld Business Advisors: Franchise-based business brokerage and M&A advisory competing directly with VR in the lower-middle and mid-market segments. Transworld offers similar valuation, franchise resale, and transaction services.
• Murphy Business Sales: Franchise business brokerage network specializing in main-street business sales under $5M and franchise resales. Directly comparable to VR's core SMB brokerage offering.
• Morgan & Westfield: Independent business brokerage and M&A firm serving the lower middle market. Competes with VR for sell-side mandates and business valuations across the U.S.
• BizBuySell: Largest online business-for-sale marketplace where VR lists client businesses. Directly competing channel for connecting buyers and sellers of small businesses, with self-serve listing tools that threaten traditional broker intermediation.
• BizQuest: Major online business-for-sale marketplace operating alongside VR's listings. Comparable as a buyer-seller matching platform in the same SMB brokerage category.

Broad incumbents

• Axial: Tech-enabled M&A platform focused on the lower middle market, serving as a network for buyers, sellers, and advisors. Competes with VR's M&A arm through a more modern, data-driven platform with deeper institutional buyer relationships.

Emerging players

• Acquire.com: Online marketplace specifically for buying and selling startups and internet businesses. Represents the digital-native, self-serve direction the SMB brokerage industry is moving toward, threatening traditional broker value.
• Flippa: Online marketplace for buying and selling websites, SaaS, and digital businesses. Adjacent competitor signaling the broader shift toward self-serve, online business transfer that could pressure traditional broker commissions.

Others

• International Business Brokers Association (IBBA): Industry association for business intermediaries. VR is a founding member and donor of the CBI certification program; IBBA represents the broader competitive and professional context in which VR operates.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vrbizfranchise
• Facebookfacebook.com/peterkingvr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vr-business-brokers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VR Business Brokers