The Best Business Brokers in Florida (2026): An Honest Review from Inside the Industry
Ryan C. Winter Updated October 27, 2026
Short answer: The best business broker in Florida for you is a licensed individual who has sold businesses like yours, can explain how they would value and market it, and keeps your sale confidential. Every Florida business broker needs a real estate license you can verify with the DBPR. Below I compare the statewide firms, the strongest independents, and regional specialists, and the thesis is simple: hire a person, not a logo.
If you search for the best business broker in Florida, nearly every result was written by a brokerage ranking itself first. That is simply how this industry markets itself, but it does not answer your real question: who should you trust with the sale of your business?
So let me be upfront. I’m Ryan C. Winter, a licensed business broker with Truforte Business Group, based in St. Augustine and serving all of Florida. I compete with every firm on this list, and I would love to earn your business. But several of these firms are genuinely excellent, and depending on your business, one of them might be your best fit. What follows is an honest review of Florida’s most established brokers, drawn from their own websites, published track records, and client reviews.
Before you compare anyone on this list, it helps to know what your own business is actually worth. My free calculator shows a confidential starting range on screen in about three minutes, with no obligation, and emails you the full report if you want it.
First, understand this: You hire a person, not a logo
Here is the most important thing this list will tell you, and something the other lists will not. Some of the names below are individual brokers. Most are companies, and several are franchise networks where each office is independently owned. A brand does not sell your business. A person does. The same national logo can hide both the best broker in your county and the least experienced one.
So whichever direction you go, insist on knowing exactly who will personally run your deal: who answers the buyer calls, who negotiates your price, and how many other listings compete for that person’s attention. The best outcomes in this industry come from a committed individual broker backed by a strong platform, not from a logo alone.
How this list was built
- Every firm here is an established, licensed Florida operation with a real track record. Florida business brokers operate under DBPR real estate licensure, so you can and should verify any broker’s license.
- Descriptions come from each firm’s own website, published numbers, and client reviews. Where a statistic is self-reported, I say so.
- I have noted whether each entry is an individual broker or a company, because that distinction should shape how you interview them.
Individual brokers worth knowing
Ryan C. Winter, Truforte Business Group (St. Augustine, serving all of Florida)
Individual broker. This is me, so weigh it accordingly. I am a licensed business broker (BK3362329) based in St. Augustine, working with owners across Florida through Truforte Business Group, a statewide brokerage that has been selling Florida businesses since 1994 and markets listings from $100K to $25M through the BBF MLS and national networks. My practice is built on preparation and honesty: every engagement starts with a free, confidential valuation, I keep a deliberately small book of clients so each deal gets my full attention, and I will tell you plainly what to fix and help you fix it. Commissions are success-based and depend on the size of the transaction, within a broad range of 8 to 15 percent, and there are no upfront fees.
Michael Shea, P.A., Transworld Business Advisors (Orlando, Tampa Bay, Melbourne)
Individual broker operating within the Transworld network. Michael Shea has brokered Central Florida businesses since 2005 and, per his site, has presided over more than 400 transactions totaling over $1 billion in sold business volume. He holds CBI and CMAP credentials and was inducted into Transworld’s Hall of Fame in 2025. If your business is in Central Florida or the I-4 corridor and you want a high-volume operator with a long closing record, Shea belongs on your interview list. He is a genuine example of what I mean about individuals: his results are his own, built inside a franchise brand.
Established Florida brokerage firms and networks
Transworld Business Advisors
Company: franchise network. Transworld is the largest business brokerage brand operating in Florida, with more than 40 years in the industry and hundreds of offices worldwide. Its Florida offices list a large share of the businesses on the market at any given time, which means real buyer traffic. Because each office is independently owned, your experience depends on the specific agent, so interview the person, not the brand. The strongest Transworld operators, like Michael Shea above, are among the best in the state.
Murphy Business & Financial
Company: franchise network, Florida headquartered. Founded in Clearwater in 1994 by Roger Murphy, Murphy Business grew into one of the largest brokerage networks in North America and still runs its corporate office in Florida. Murphy offices offer brokerage plus valuation and consulting, and the firm’s long history shows in its process discipline. As with any network, results vary by office, so ask about your local operator’s personal closing record.
Sunbelt Business Brokers
Company: franchise network. Sunbelt is one of the most recognized brokerage names in the country, and its first Florida franchise opened in Orlando back in 1993. Sunbelt offices handle high volumes of main street listings, and the brand’s visibility with buyers helps listing exposure. The same franchise caveat applies: the office and agent matter more than the sign on the door.
Viking Mergers & Acquisitions
Company. Viking has operated across the Southeast since 1996 and serves Florida from offices in Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, focusing on businesses roughly in the $1 million to $150 million range. The firm reports selling 85 percent of the businesses it lists, at an average of 96 percent or more of asking price, with over 950 closed deals firm-wide. Those are self-reported numbers, but they reflect a real strength: Viking is selective about the listings it takes, which is a good sign in a broker. If your business has seven-figure earnings, Viking deserves a call.
Green & Co. Business Brokers
Company: independent team. Based in the Sarasota area, Green & Co. covers Tampa Bay, Southwest Florida, Central Florida, the Space Coast, and Jacksonville. Client reviews consistently describe the team as professional, ethical, and strong communicators, and as an independent firm they avoid the franchise variability problem. A solid choice on the Gulf Coast in particular.
KMF Business Advisors
Company. KMF is a Boca Raton based brokerage serving South Florida, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, with about two decades of experience and, per the firm, more than $850 million in closed transactions. KMF markets through the BBF MLS and BizBuySell and aligns its practice with IBBA standards. If your business is in the Miami to Palm Beach corridor, KMF is a credible local specialist.
Florida Business Exchange (FBX)
Company: independent firm. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Daytona Beach, with offices in Lake Mary, Jacksonville, and Tampa, FBX is one of Florida’s largest non-franchised brokerages. The firm reports more than 1,500 businesses sold totaling over $500 million, and it has particular experience guiding international buyers through E-2 visa acquisitions. For sellers on the East Coast and Central Florida who prefer an established independent over a franchise, FBX has earned its longevity.
Sailfish Business Brokers
Company. Sailfish has operated in Florida for more than 25 years and, per the firm, has guided over 1,000 successful exits in that time. The firm maintains a presence on both Florida coasts and pairs long tenure with a straightforward, seller-focused process. A credible option for main street and lower middle market sellers, particularly in South and Southwest Florida.
Crowne Atlantic Business Brokers
Company: independent firm. Based in Maitland and focused on Orlando and Central Florida, Crowne Atlantic handles business sales typically at $10 million and under. A distinctive strength: every broker at the firm has owned and operated a business themselves, and the firm is consistently recognized within Business Brokers of Florida rankings. For Central Florida sellers who want an independent alternative to the franchise networks, Crowne Atlantic is a strong interview.
Website Closers
Company: online business specialist. If your business is primarily digital (an e-commerce brand, Amazon store, SaaS product, or agency), Tampa-based Website Closers is the specialist on this list. The firm runs deals from the low seven figures up to very large transactions and understands digital due diligence, traffic verification, and platform risk in a way generalist brokers usually do not. For a brick-and-mortar Florida business, a local generalist will typically serve you better.
Florida business brokers by region
Florida is a big state, and buyers, lenders, and landlords differ from one region to the next. Below, I note which of the firms above work in each region, add individual brokers based there, and link my local guides where I have written one. The descriptions come from the brokers’ own websites and their IBBA and Business Brokers of Florida (BBF) profiles, and numbers they report about themselves are labeled that way. You will see CBI after many names: it is the IBBA’s Certified Business Intermediary designation, which requires specialized training and continuing education to keep. It is not a license, so verify any broker’s Florida license on the DBPR site either way.
Northeast Florida (Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Amelia Island)
I am based in St. Augustine, and Truforte works statewide. Transworld and Murphy both have Jacksonville-area offices, Florida Business Exchange has a Jacksonville office, and Green & Co. also covers Jacksonville. For a closer look, see my guides to the best business brokers in Jacksonville and the best business brokers in St. Augustine, plus my notes on selling on Amelia Island and in Fernandina Beach. Owners in North Central Florida can read my guide to selling a business in Gainesville.
Central Florida (Orlando, Daytona Beach, the Space Coast)
Here are four brokers based in and around Orlando and on the Space Coast. Orlando owners can also read my guide to selling a business in Orlando, and Volusia County owners my guide to selling a business in Daytona Beach.
Cress V. Diglio, CBI, M&AMI, CII Advisors (Orlando). Individual broker. Diglio chaired the IBBA in 2015, following his father, who chaired it in 2008, and he was inducted into the IBBA Hall of Fame in 2025. CII was founded in 1986, has advisors in Florida and Georgia, and reports that its engagements are typically with lower middle market companies with annual sales of $5 million to $50 million.
Paul McNally, Central Florida Business Brokerage (Altamonte Springs). Individual broker. McNally chaired Business Brokers of Florida in 2024 and 2025, is a past president of its Central Florida district, and received the BBF’s Ken Stebbins Award in 2023. His firm focuses on selling Central Florida businesses to buyers wherever they are located, and it can sell the real estate along with the business.
Jim Parker, CBI, M&AMI, The Auto Repair Boss (Clermont). Individual broker and an industry specialist. Parker sells auto-related businesses, including general repair, collision, tire, and oil and lube shops, for owners across the country. He is the current chair of the IBBA’s Board of Governors and chaired Business Brokers of Florida from 2018 to 2020. His IBBA profile reports nearly 25 years in the field and more than 500 business sales (self-reported).
Kent Cooper, CBI, M&AMI, Capstone Commercial M&A Advisors (Cocoa Beach). Individual broker. Cooper founded Capstone Commercial in Cocoa Beach in 2002. He is a licensed Florida real estate broker and a state-certified general real estate appraiser, and his firm handles both business sales and commercial real estate. The firm reports a focus on lower middle market companies with EBITDA of $1 million to $25 million.
From the lists above, Michael Shea of Transworld works Orlando, Tampa Bay, and Melbourne, Crowne Atlantic is based in Maitland, and Florida Business Exchange is based in Daytona Beach.
Tampa Bay and the Gulf Coast (Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota)
Here are four brokers based in the Tampa Bay area and on the Sarasota coast. Owners here can also read my guides to selling a business in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater, and Sarasota.
Dave Britton, CBI, Lobo Business Sales (Tampa). Individual broker and owner of the firm. Britton reports being licensed in Florida since 2007, is a member of the IBBA and BBF, and has served on the BBF board representing the Tampa Bay region. He represents owners of established businesses across Tampa Bay, plus owners of digital businesses outside the region.
Marlene Sundquist Behlman, CBI, CCIM, The Torch Team (Tampa). Individual broker and one of the firm’s two managing brokers. She holds a Florida broker license, and her team sells both businesses and commercial real estate across Tampa Bay and the Greater Orlando area, with her own focus on retail, industrial, and professional services businesses. Her firm’s site notes that she serves on the BBF board for the Tampa Bay district.
Brian Stephens, CBI, M&AMI, Legacy Venture Group (Brandon). Individual broker. His IBBA profile reports 20 years in business sales and M&A, and he serves on the IBBA Board of Governors. He is a past president of the BBF’s West Florida district and received the BBF’s Exceptional Service Award in 2026. His firm’s team includes brokers working in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Brandon.
Stacy Alario-Chrisman, CBI, American Business Brokerage (Sarasota). Individual broker. According to her firm, she has represented owners of closely held businesses since 1979. She holds the IBBA’s Lifetime CBI designation and is a Fellow of the IBBA, and her firm’s listed services include exit and succession planning and immigration and visa assistance.
Several firms above also work here: Viking Mergers & Acquisitions and Website Closers are Tampa-based, Murphy is headquartered in Clearwater, Green & Co. works from the Sarasota area, and Michael Shea of Transworld covers Tampa Bay.
Southwest Florida (Fort Myers, Naples)
Sailfish Business Brokers works both coasts and focuses on main street sellers in South and Southwest Florida. Owners here can read my guides to selling a business in Fort Myers and selling a business in Naples.
South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach)
Here are four brokers based in Broward and Palm Beach counties, one of them leading a franchise office with a broker who covers Miami-Dade. See my guides for Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.
Barry Berkowitz, CBI, M&AMI, Berkowitz Acquisitions (Boynton Beach). Individual broker and president of the firm. Berkowitz is a licensed Florida real estate broker who focuses on technology, manufacturing, education, and healthcare businesses, and he came to the field after a career as a scientist and engineering manager at Exxon. He chaired the IBBA in 2020, was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2024, and received the BBF’s Ken Stebbins Award, which the BBF calls its highest honor, in 2025.
Randy Bring, CBI, M&AMI, Transworld Business Advisors (Fort Lauderdale). Individual broker within the Transworld network. Bring is a licensed Florida real estate sales associate who joined Transworld in 2001 after building and selling his own companies, and he works with upper main street and lower middle market businesses. He chaired the IBBA in 2022 and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2025. His Transworld profile reports nearly 500 client businesses sold (self-reported).
Russell Cohen, CBI, M&AMI, South Florida M&A Advisors (Cooper City and Boca Raton). Individual broker and president of the firm. Cohen reports more than 25 years of deal-making focused on Florida, and the firm reports representing companies from $5 million to $100 million, with offices in Cooper City, Boca Raton, and Clearwater. He has served on the M&A Source Board of Governors since 2023 and is vice president of the BBF’s South Florida district.
Ryan Cave, CBI, M&AMI, Sunbelt Business Brokers of South Florida (North Palm Beach). Franchise office president. Cave is the current chairman of Business Brokers of Florida and received its Ken Stebbins Award in 2021. His office’s site reports that he has more than 20 years of experience and works with service, healthcare, construction, and franchise businesses across Florida. For Miami-Dade, the office’s Mitchell Weinberger, CBI, is based in Miami Beach and covers that market, per his IBBA profile.
From the firms above, KMF Business Advisors is based in Boca Raton, Viking has a Fort Lauderdale office, and Sailfish is active here too.
The Panhandle (Pensacola, Destin, Panama City, Tallahassee)
Northwest Florida has its own economy, built heavily on military bases and tourism, and its own pool of buyers. None of the entries above is based there, so here are three brokers who are. As with every entry on this page, the descriptions come from their own websites and public profiles. Owners in the region can also read my guides to selling a business in Pensacola and selling a business in Tallahassee.
Lawrence Moore, CVA, GAI: Gibson and Associates (Pensacola). Individual broker. Moore is a licensed Florida real estate broker and has led GAI since 2019. The firm was founded in 1992, is headquartered in downtown Pensacola, is licensed in Florida and Alabama, and serves Pensacola, Destin, Panama City, and Gulf Shores, working with main street and mid-market businesses.
Natalie Kessler, First Choice Business Brokers of NW Florida (Panama City Beach). Individual broker and co-owner of the office. She is a licensed Florida real estate broker with the Accredited Business Intermediary (ABI) designation and an IBBA member, serving Panama City, Pensacola, Destin, Tallahassee, and the rest of Northwest Florida. Her office reports transaction sizes from $50,000 to multi-million (self-reported).
Michele Pouliot, Murphy Business Sales, Emerald Coast (Freeport). Franchise owner. Her office covers Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Washington counties. She built a business brokerage in Maryland before relocating to the Emerald Coast.
I also work with Panhandle owners, and Truforte serves the whole state, so a statewide broker is an option here too. Interview the person either way.
Quick comparison
| Broker | Individual or Company | Home Base | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan C. Winter (Truforte) | Individual | St. Augustine, statewide | Main street to lower middle market sellers who want one dedicated broker |
| Michael Shea, P.A. (Transworld) | Individual | Orlando / Tampa Bay | Central Florida sellers, high-volume experience |
| Transworld | Franchise network | Offices statewide | Maximum listing exposure; vet the individual agent |
| Murphy Business | Franchise network | Clearwater HQ | Process-driven sales plus valuations |
| Sunbelt | Franchise network | Offices statewide | Main street listings, brand recognition |
| Viking M&A | Company | Tampa / Fort Lauderdale | Businesses with $1M+ value |
| Green & Co. | Independent team | Sarasota area | Gulf Coast and Central Florida sellers |
| KMF Business Advisors | Company | Boca Raton | South Florida sellers |
| Florida Business Exchange | Independent firm | Daytona Beach | East Coast sellers, international buyers |
| Sailfish Business Brokers | Company | Both coasts | Main street sellers in South and Southwest Florida |
| Crowne Atlantic | Independent firm | Maitland / Orlando | Central Florida sellers, deals $10M and under |
| Website Closers | Online specialist | Tampa | E-commerce, SaaS, and digital businesses |
| Cress V. Diglio, CBI (CII Advisors) | Individual | Orlando | Lower middle market companies |
| Paul McNally (Central Florida Business Brokerage) | Individual | Altamonte Springs | Central Florida sellers, including business plus real estate |
| Jim Parker, CBI (The Auto Repair Boss) | Individual | Clermont | Auto repair, collision, tire, and lube shop owners |
| Kent Cooper, CBI (Capstone Commercial M&A Advisors) | Individual | Cocoa Beach | Space Coast sellers, business plus commercial real estate |
| Dave Britton, CBI (Lobo Business Sales) | Individual | Tampa | Established Tampa Bay businesses and digital businesses |
| Marlene Sundquist Behlman, CBI, CCIM (The Torch Team) | Individual | Tampa | Retail, industrial, and professional services; business plus commercial real estate |
| Brian Stephens, CBI (Legacy Venture Group) | Individual | Brandon | Tampa Bay sellers |
| Stacy Alario-Chrisman, CBI (American Business Brokerage) | Individual | Sarasota | Closely held businesses, exit and succession planning |
| Barry Berkowitz, CBI (Berkowitz Acquisitions) | Individual | Boynton Beach | Technology, manufacturing, education, and healthcare businesses |
| Randy Bring, CBI (Transworld Business Advisors) | Individual | Fort Lauderdale | Upper main street and lower middle market sellers |
| Russell Cohen, CBI (South Florida M&A Advisors) | Individual | Cooper City / Boca Raton | Lower middle market companies |
| Ryan Cave, CBI (Sunbelt Business Brokers of South Florida) | Individual (franchise office president) | North Palm Beach | Service, healthcare, construction, and franchise businesses |
| Lawrence Moore, CVA (GAI: Gibson and Associates) | Individual | Pensacola | Panhandle and Gulf Coast sellers, main street to mid-market |
| Natalie Kessler (First Choice Business Brokers of NW Florida) | Individual | Panama City Beach | Northwest Florida sellers, deals from $50,000 up |
| Michele Pouliot (Murphy Business Sales, Emerald Coast) | Individual (franchise owner) | Freeport | Emerald Coast sellers across 11 Panhandle counties |
How to choose among them
- Interview at least two brokers, and make sure you are interviewing the individual who will run your deal, not a company salesperson.
- Verify the license on the Florida DBPR portal and confirm BBF membership.
- Ask for a real valuation with the reasoning behind it. Be wary of the broker who quotes the highest number; that is often a tactic to win the listing.
- Get the fee structure in writing. Success fees at closing are the industry standard. Large upfront fees are a caution flag.
- Ask these questions from my seven-point checklist before you sign anything.
Looking for a local shortlist? I have written companion guides to the best business brokers in St. Augustine and the best business brokers in Jacksonville, with the individual brokers behind each brand named and compared.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best business broker in Florida?
There is no single answer, and any broker who claims the title unconditionally is marketing to you. The best broker for you depends on your region, your business size, and the individual who will personally handle your sale. Use the comparison above to build a short interview list of two or three, and choose the person whose process, honesty, and attention convince you.
What do the best Florida business brokers charge?
Most charge a success fee paid at closing. Mine varies with the size of the transaction, within a broad range of 8 to 15 percent, with no upfront fees. Details in my guide to business broker fees in Florida.
Should I choose a franchise brokerage or an independent broker?
Either can be excellent. Franchises offer brand reach; independents offer consistency. What actually decides your outcome is the individual broker’s skill, honesty, and workload. That is why my strongest advice is to hire a person, not a logo, whichever structure they work within.
How do I check a Florida business broker’s license?
Go to myfloridalicense.com, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s site, and choose Verify a License. You can search by name or license number. A Florida business broker holds a real estate license, so look for an active broker license (it starts with BK) or a sales associate license (SL) working under a broker. Mine is BK3362329.
Do business brokers in Florida need a real estate license?
Yes. Chapter 475 of the Florida Statutes defines a broker to include anyone who, for compensation, negotiates the sale of business enterprises or business opportunities, and section 475.42 makes it illegal to operate as a broker without an active license. If someone offers to sell your business for a fee and cannot show you a license, keep looking.
What is the difference between a business broker and an M&A advisor?
Mostly deal size and process. Business brokers usually handle main street and lower middle market companies and market them to a broad pool of individual and strategic buyers. M&A advisors typically work with larger companies, running a more formal process aimed at private equity and corporate buyers. Many firms do both. More in my guide to business brokers versus M&A advisors.
Do Florida business brokers charge upfront fees?
Most charge nothing upfront and are paid a success fee at closing. Some firms charge an engagement or marketing fee, especially on larger deals. I charge no upfront fees. Whatever the structure, get it in writing in the listing agreement before you sign.
Should my broker list my business on the BBF MLS?
For most Florida main street businesses, yes. The Business Brokers of Florida MLS shares listings among member brokers across the state, so your business reaches buyers working with other brokers, not only the listing broker’s own buyers. Ask any broker you interview whether they are a BBF member and where else they will market your listing confidentially. See where to list a business for sale in Florida.
How many listings should one broker be handling?
There is no standard number, but it is a fair question. A broker juggling too many listings has less time for yours. Ask how many active listings they have now, who will handle buyer calls day to day, and how often you will hear from them.
Are there good business brokers in the Florida Panhandle?
Yes. The Panhandle section above covers three brokers based in Pensacola, Panama City Beach, and Freeport. Statewide firms, including Truforte, also work with Panhandle sellers.
Are there good business brokers in Tampa, Orlando, and South Florida?
Yes. The regional sections above name individual brokers based in each market: in Tampa Bay, Dave Britton, Marlene Sundquist Behlman, Brian Stephens, and Stacy Alario-Chrisman; in Central Florida, Cress V. Diglio, Paul McNally, Jim Parker, and Kent Cooper; and in South Florida, Barry Berkowitz, Randy Bring, Russell Cohen, and Ryan Cave. Each description comes from the broker’s own website and IBBA or BBF profile, and none of it is a ranking. Interview a few, ask who will personally run your sale, and verify the license on the DBPR site. Statewide firms, including Truforte, also work with owners in all three regions.
Should I hire a business broker in my own city or one who works statewide?
Either can work. A broker based in your market knows the local buyers, landlords, and lenders and can meet you in person easily. A statewide broker can still reach those local buyers, because members of Business Brokers of Florida share listings through the BBF MLS, so your business is seen by buyers working with brokers across the state. What matters more is the individual: their experience with businesses like yours, how they will keep your sale confidential, and how much of their own time your deal will get. I work statewide from St. Augustine, and I would suggest interviewing both a local broker and a statewide one and comparing how each would handle your sale.
Start with an honest number
Whichever broker you interview, walk in knowing what your business is actually worth. I offer every Florida owner a free, confidential opinion of value with no obligation, even if you end up choosing another name on this list. Call (904) 789-1276 (Truforte Business Group) or start with the free valuation calculator.
Not sure how to weigh the firms above against each other? Use my seven-point checklist for choosing a business broker in Florida; it works on any of them, including me.
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. I am a licensed business broker, not an attorney or accountant. Every business and every sale is different, and laws and tax rules change, so talk with a licensed attorney and a CPA about your situation before you act on anything here.
