The Best Business Brokers in Florida (2026): An Honest Review from Inside the Industry

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.

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 if the right answer is to wait a year and fix the numbers first. Standard commissions are success-based, 12 to 15 percent for main street deals, with the Lehman scale on larger transactions, 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, far above industry averages, 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.

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

How to Choose Among Them

1. Interview at least two brokers, and make sure you are interviewing the individual who will run your deal, not a company salesperson.
2. Verify the license on the Florida DBPR portal and confirm BBF membership.
3. 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.
4. Get the fee structure in writing. Success fees at closing are the industry standard. Large upfront fees are a caution flag.
5. Ask these ten questions 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?

Success fees paid at closing, typically 10 to 15 percent for main street businesses. My standard range is 12 to 15 percent, with the Lehman scale on larger transactions. 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.

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) 735-8994 or start with the free valuation calculator.

• Category: Business Broker Tips, Selling a Business