Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue III, 2012 | Page 85

consuming, but also an overlooked opportunity to save money. In many cases, once these services are put into place, they often continue without audit or renegotiation. The time constraints of running the business on a day-to-day basis often prohibit management from looking into these situations. Today, however, there are third-party firms that can perform this task with no up-front financial obligation to the business owner—just a sharing in the financial A wellconceived exit strategy starts with thoughtful planning. savings generated from their activities. They will research past invoices for errors and pursue any recovery, and also competitively bid new services agreements. Typical areas of focus include waste, insurance, utilities, worker opportunity tax credits, workers’ compensation charges, property tax and CAM charges, and telecom, to name just a few. The results can be staggering. With some effort on the part of management, a company can enjoy the financial benefits of a lower cost structure and a significantly enhanced valuation of the company. A well-conceived exit strategy starts with thoughtful planning, and requires consistent and diligent execution of that plan. Outsourcing of certain cost centers, G&A management, and quantifying events that have temporarily affected a business are just a few ways a business owner can position their company for maximum value at exit. Dean Zuccarello, CEO and founder of The Cypress Group, has more than 30 years of financial and transactional experience in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, strategic planning, and financing in the restaurant industry. The Cypress Group is a privately owned investment bank and advisory services firm focused exclusively on the multiunit and franchise business for more than 22 years. Contact him at 303-680-4141 or [email protected]. Multi-Unit Franchisee Is s u e III, 2012  81