The McFarland Group, an advisory firm that has supported more than 200 ownership transitions over the past two decades, has described an expanded emphasis on its M&A advisory practice for closely held business owners evaluating sales to external buyers. The firm's M&A advisory encompasses both sell-side and buy-side transactions, including exit readiness assessment, due diligence preparation, buyer identification, and transaction management through close. The practice is structured for owner-led businesses with revenue between $5 million and $100 million, a segment the firm has served extensively through its management buyout work.
The expanded focus reflects a growing number of owner-clients who are considering an external sale alongside or in place of an internal transition to management. The firm's approach to M&A follows the patient, senior-led model that has defined its broader advisory work since founding. Byron McFarland and the principal team remain directly engaged throughout each engagement rather than passing work to junior associates.
“Selling a business to an external buyer is one of the most consequential decisions an owner will make, and it deserves more time than most processes give it,” said Byron McFarland, founder of The McFarland Group. “Our work brings the same calm, structured approach we have built over two decades of ownership-transition advisory. The goal is clarity for the owner, not speed for the dealmaker.”
Engagements at The McFarland Group typically run six to twenty-four months. The firm engages early in an owner's planning horizon, often before the business is brought to market, so that questions of readiness, deal structure, and buyer fit can be addressed in sequence rather than under pressure. “Owners deserve to know what they are walking into before they commit to a process,” McFarland said. “When we slow the moment down at the front end, the entire transaction tends to go better at every step that follows.”
Across more than 200 ownership transitions, The McFarland Group has supported transactions totaling more than $3 billion. The firm's additional practice areas include management buyout advisory and performance equity compensation design, both of which complement the M&A practice for owners evaluating multiple paths forward. More information on the firm's M&A advisory is available at themcfarlandgroup.com/service/m-and-a-advisory-services.
This patient approach matters because it shifts the focus from speed to strategic preparation, potentially reducing the risk of rushed decisions that could harm the business's long-term value. For owners of closely held businesses, this means they can better understand their options—whether selling externally or transitioning internally—and make informed choices that align with their personal and financial goals. The firm's track record, with over $3 billion in transactions, suggests that this methodology has proven effective in navigating complex ownership transitions.
The McFarland Group is based in Omaha, Nebraska, and has served owners of closely held businesses for two decades. Its senior-led model ensures that experienced principals handle each engagement, providing continuity and depth of expertise. As the M&A landscape evolves, especially for mid-market businesses, such deliberate advisory services may become increasingly valuable for owners seeking to maximize value while maintaining control over the process.
