In the Food and Beverage sector, the M&A scene kicked off the year with promise, marked by a steady stream of transactions, including several significant ones. Q1 of 2024 saw a slight uptick in deal count, totaling 76 transactions compared to 71 in Q4 of 2023. Notably, completed deals in the fourth quarter boasted valuations averaging 7.5x Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) adjusted EBITDA, reflecting a 0.2x increase from the previous quarter and a notable improvement from the 6.7x average observed in the second quarter. This surge in valuations sets an encouraging tone for 2024. However, disparities in valuation expectations persist between buyers and sellers, as buyers prioritize risk mitigation in their evaluations. Read the full report.
Mike McCraw, Managing Director and Food & Beverage Team Leader at FOCUS, is an experienced entrepreneur and investment banker and has over 30 years’ experience serving clients with mergers & acquisitions, advisory services, and business consulting.
Prior to joining FOCUS, Mr. McCraw led the Consumer Team at Founders Investment Banking. While there, he helped launch a well-attended annual educational and networking event called the Multi-Unit Summit, bringing together top brand and industry leaders in a relaxed, high-quality environment. Mr. McCraw has also served as CFO for several multi-unit companies.
In addition, Mr. McCraw started and led the Outsourced Services Practice Group at Warren Averett, one of the largest CPA firms in the Southeast. Before Warren Averett, Mr. McCraw co-founded and served as managing principal of the Birmingham office of a regional CPA and consulting firm. He also started and helped lead a lower middle market private capital group focused on adding value alongside successful entrepreneurs. Mr. McCraw has served as CFO/COO of a regional construction sub-contractor, CFO of a manufacturing company and Controller at two leading hospitals.
Mr. McCraw is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and has a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Mr. McCraw received his undergraduate degree in Accounting from Troy University, where he was quarterback on a National Championship team.
