In Q3 2024, 113 transactions were announced in the food and beverage industry, continuing a trend of steady deal volume across segments and reflecting a 25% increase in M&A activity on a year-over-year basis. While deal volume was nearly the same as the previous quarter, several notable transactions during the period signaled that food and beverage is prime for dealmaking. With the Federal Reserve’s 0.50% interest rate cut and buyers on the hunt for acquisitions (more on this below), we expect the momentum behind M&A activity to gain in the coming quarters.
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.
