Should You Buy a Business Abroad? Best Practices for Buyers
By Troy Frank, Owner — Indiana Equity Brokers
Estimated read time: 6 min
The short answer: Buying a business abroad can work, but it carries risks that don’t exist in a domestic deal: foreign ownership restrictions, unfamiliar tax and labor law, currency swings, and due diligence you can’t easily verify from the US. One World Bank-cited estimate attributes 30–40% of unexpected financial risk in international transactions to currency volatility alone. Best practices are the same everywhere — verified financials, local legal and tax advisors, and a clear plan for who runs the business — but abroad, each one is harder and more expensive to get right.
Every year a few buyers tell me some version of the same plan. They want to buy a business overseas — sometimes for growth, sometimes for a lifestyle change, sometimes because a deal found them through family or a former colleague. Buying a business abroad is a real option, and some buyers do very well with it. But I’ve also watched buyers apply US assumptions to a foreign deal and pay for it.
This article covers the best practices that matter most in a cross-border purchase, and the honest comparison every buyer should run first: what the same money buys closer to home.
Know the Rules Before You Fall in Love With the Deal
The first surprise for most American buyers is that many countries restrict what foreigners can own. Some require a local citizen as a partner or majority owner. Others restrict specific sectors — banking, energy, media, telecom — or require government notification and approval before a foreign acquisition can close.
That’s not a detail to sort out later. Ownership structure determines what you actually control, how profits reach you, and what happens if the partnership sours. In a US deal, you buy the business and you own it. In some foreign markets, what you can legally own is a minority position wrapped in a local structure.
Before you spend money on due diligence, get a plain answer to three questions. Can a foreigner own this business outright in this country? What approvals or licenses does the transfer require? And how do profits legally get back to the US, and at what tax cost?
Due Diligence Is Harder When You Can’t Verify Anything Yourself
In the US, due diligence runs on verifiable documents: tax returns, bank statements, payroll records. Lenders re-check everything. We walk buyers through this in how to evaluate a business before you buy it, and the process works because the paper trail is trustworthy.
Abroad, that trail may be thinner. In some markets, the books shown to the tax authority and the books shown to a buyer are two different documents — and everyone locally knows it. Customer contracts may be informal. Employment obligations may be larger than they appear, because labor law in much of Europe and Latin America makes workforce changes far more expensive than in Indiana.
The fix isn’t paranoia. It’s local expertise. Hire an attorney and an accountant in the target country who work for you, not for the seller, and who have done acquisitions — not just filings. Expect diligence to take longer and cost more than a comparable US deal. If a seller pushes you to skip steps because “that’s not how it works here,” that’s information.
Currency and Distance Are Silent Deal Costs
Two costs rarely show up in the seller’s numbers. The first is currency. You’ll buy in one currency and live in another. A 10% swing in exchange rates can erase a year of profit distributions, and currency volatility drives an estimated 30–40% of unexpected financial risk in international transactions.
The second is distance — and it forces the biggest decision in any overseas purchase: relocate or manage remotely. Owners who relocate control the business firsthand but take on a full lifestyle change, visas included. Owners who stay home need a local manager they trust completely, which costs real money and adds real risk. In our experience with owner-operated Main Street businesses, the owner’s presence is a large share of what makes the business work. Remove it by an ocean, and you need a plan for what replaces it.
Run the Comparison: What Does the Same Money Buy at Home?
Here’s the step most buyers skip. Before wiring money overseas, price the alternative. In Indiana, established Main Street businesses typically sell for 2.5–3.5x seller’s discretionary earnings, with SBA financing available for qualified buyers — often with 10–15% down. The legal system is familiar. The books are verifiable. Your broker, banker, and attorney all work in your language and your time zone.
That doesn’t make a foreign purchase wrong. It gives you a baseline. If the overseas deal still wins after you’ve priced in local advisors, currency risk, travel, and a manager’s salary, you’re buying with open eyes. If you’ve never run the domestic numbers, start with how to buy a business in Indiana or browse current Indiana businesses for sale to see what’s available.
Cross-border deals also run the other direction — foreign buyers regularly acquire American companies. We’ve written about that side of the table in selling your business to international buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an American buy a business in another country?
In most countries, yes — but many restrict foreign ownership in specific sectors or require a local partner, government approval, or a special visa. Check the target country’s foreign investment rules before spending money on due diligence.
What are the biggest risks of buying a business abroad?
Unverifiable financials, foreign ownership and licensing restrictions, unfamiliar labor and tax law, and currency risk — which one World Bank-cited estimate ties to 30–40% of unexpected financial risk in international deals. Distance is the multiplier: every problem is harder to see and slower to fix from overseas.
Do I need to move abroad to run a business I buy there?
No, but you need a plan for who runs it. Relocating gives you direct control at the cost of a major life change and visa requirements. Staying home means hiring a trusted local manager with industry experience — a real expense that belongs in your deal math from day one.
Is it easier to buy a business in the US than abroad?
Generally, yes. US deals run on verifiable tax returns and bank records, SBA financing is available for qualified buyers, and the legal framework is consistent. Indiana Main Street businesses typically sell for 2.5–3.5x SDE, and the whole process usually runs 60–90 days from accepted offer to closing.
What professionals do I need for an international business purchase?
At minimum: an attorney in the target country experienced in acquisitions, an accountant who understands both local and US tax treatment, and an advisor who can vet the opportunity and the process. Do not rely on the seller’s advisors.
The Bottom Line: Preparation Travels Well
The fundamentals of a good acquisition don’t change at the border — verified numbers, clear terms, the right advisors, and a realistic plan for who operates the business. What changes abroad is the cost of getting each one right, and the price of getting one wrong.
If you’re weighing an acquisition — overseas or here at home — it’s worth knowing what your money buys in Indiana before you decide. Indiana Equity Brokers has closed more than 880 transactions worth over $808M, and a conversation about what’s on the market costs nothing. Reach me at troy@indianaequitybrokers.com or visit indianaequitybrokers.com.
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Buying an Existing Business: Why It Might Be the Smarter Move
When people imagine becoming business owners, the first thought is usually starting from scratch. They picture launching a brand-new company, creating a logo, building a website, and watching their idea come to life.
That all sounds exciting—but it’s also risky. Building a business from the ground up means you’re juggling everything at once: creating brand awareness, finding your first customers, hiring employees, and figuring out how to generate consistent income. All of this must be done with no existing foundation.
For many aspiring entrepreneurs, there’s a smarter path: buying an existing business. Instead of starting at square one, you’re stepping into something that already has structure, momentum, and a track record. Below, we’ll break down why purchasing an existing company can give you a faster, safer, and often more profitable start.
1. You’re Buying a Running Operation
One of the biggest advantages of acquiring an existing business is that it’s already operating. You’re not starting with an empty storefront or an untested product—you’re stepping into something proven.
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There’s an existing customer base.
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The team is already trained and in place.
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The brand likely has recognition in the local market or even industry-wide.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, nearly 20% of startups fail within the first year. By buying an established business, you bypass many of those early, risky stages.
2. Built-In Relationships Save You Years
Relationships are one of the most valuable assets in business. When you buy an existing company, you’re not just purchasing equipment and a customer list—you’re gaining access to its network. This includes:
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Loyal customers
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Long-term suppliers
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Service providers (banks, marketing agencies, legal teams)
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Experienced employees
These connections often take years to build, and replicating them from scratch would be nearly impossible. The seller’s established network is a form of “hidden equity” that immediately benefits the new owner.
3. A Proven Financial Track Record
Starting a business always feels like a gamble. Even the best business plans are projections, not promises. But when you acquire an existing company, you’re buying into something with real financial history.
You can analyze actual numbers, like:
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Revenue and sales trends
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Operating expenses
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Profit margins
This kind of transparency drastically reduces the guesswork. In fact, many sellers also offer transitional support or training to make sure the business continues to run smoothly. If the seller is financing part of the deal, it’s an extra sign they believe in the business’s continued success.
4. A Clear Price Tag and Financing Options
Unlike startups, which can eat away at savings with endless costs, an existing business comes with a clear price tag. You’re not funding years of trial and error—you’re stepping into something that’s already paying its bills.
Even better, many sellers are open to owner financing. That means you might not need the full purchase price upfront. Instead, you make a down payment, then spread the rest out over time.
This benefits both sides:
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You get manageable payment terms.
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The seller maintains a vested interest in your success.
Think of it this way: when a seller agrees to finance part of the deal, they’re giving you more than a loan—they’re giving you a vote of confidence.
5. Professional Guidance Helps You Win
Of course, not every business for sale is the right fit. That’s where working with a business broker comes in. An experienced advisor helps you:
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Evaluate whether the asking price is fair.
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Review financials with a critical eye.
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Negotiate terms that protect your interests.
At Indiana Equity Brokers, our team specializes in helping buyers and sellers navigate this process. With decades of experience, we understand what makes a business a smart buy—and what should raise red flags.
If you’re considering ownership, check out our current listings to see what opportunities might be the right fit for your goals.
Final Thoughts
Starting your own business has its appeal, but it’s also full of risk and uncertainty. By buying an existing business, you step into something proven: customers, employees, financials, and brand recognition are already in place. That means less stress, less guesswork, and more opportunity to focus on growth from day one.
The bottom line? If you’re ready for entrepreneurship, don’t just think about building from scratch. Sometimes, the smartest move is taking the baton and running with it.
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What Questions Should You Ask Before Buying a Business?
By Troy Frank, Owner — Indiana Equity Brokers
Estimated read time: 7 min
The short answer: Before buying a business, ask detailed questions in six areas: recent challenges, financial quality, legal and contract risk, operations and vendor concentration, the team, and market position. Roughly 30–50% of signed letters of intent fall apart during due diligence, usually because a buyer uncovers something the seller didn’t fully disclose. The right questions, asked early, protect you from overpaying and from inheriting problems you didn’t sign up for.
Most buyers start due diligence by asking for tax returns. That’s a start, but it’s not enough. The businesses that fall apart mid-deal usually don’t fail because a number was wrong — they fail because the buyer never asked the question that would have surfaced the real risk.
At Indiana Equity Brokers, we’ve sat on both sides of this process hundreds of times. The buyers who close successfully are the ones who dig past the pitch and into the details. Here are the questions that matter most, organized by the area of the business they cover.
1. What’s Actually Gone Wrong in the Last 12 Months?
Every seller will tell you their business is healthy. Ask them to be specific instead:
- What were the top 3–5 challenges over the past year?
- Where did cash flow miss the forecast, and why?
- Which customers or suppliers left, and what caused it?
- Where do operations bottleneck — staffing, compliance, capacity?
A seller who can answer these clearly, with specifics, is usually being straight with you. A seller who deflects into generalities is a signal to look closer.
2. Is the Financial Picture Real?
Financial due diligence is where most deals get re-traded or killed. Ask for:
- Reviewed or audited financials for the past 3–5 years
- A normalized income statement — one that strips out one-time or owner-specific expenses
- Revenue broken out by customer, product line, and channel
- Accounts receivable aging, inventory turnover, and bad debt history
- A full list of debt, lease obligations, and any off-balance-sheet liabilities
The goal is to separate reported profit from sustainable profit. A seller’s discretionary earnings (SDE) figure that looks strong on paper can shrink fast once you adjust for one-time equipment sales, related-party rent, or an owner’s personal expenses run through the business. This is exactly the kind of gap a buyer needs a broker or CPA to catch before it becomes a post-close surprise.
3. What Legal or Contract Risk Comes With the Business?
Contracts and legal exposure are the second most common deal-killer we see. Ask:
- Is there any pending, threatened, or past litigation, and what’s the exposure?
- What material contracts exist — vendors, customers, leases, licenses — and are they assignable to a new owner?
- Do any contracts include a change-of-control clause that triggers on sale?
- How is intellectual property owned or licensed?
- Are there open tax, environmental, or employment compliance issues?
A lease that isn’t assignable, or a customer contract that terminates automatically on a change of ownership, can quietly gut the value of what you’re buying. We covered this exact scenario in Can a Landlord Kill Your Business Sale? — it applies just as much to buyers as sellers.
4. How Dependent Is the Business on a Few Relationships?
Concentration risk is one of the fastest ways a healthy-looking business turns fragile. Ask:
- What share of revenue comes from the top 3–5 customers?
- Is the business reliant on one or two key vendors or suppliers?
- What’s the condition and remaining useful life of major equipment?
- Are there documented standard operating procedures, or does the business run on the owner’s memory?
If 30–40% of revenue sits with a single customer, that relationship is now your risk, not just the seller’s. Ask what happens to that account if the business changes hands — some buyers negotiate a holdback tied to key customer retention for exactly this reason.
5. Will the Team Stay After Closing?
A business is only worth what its people can deliver without the current owner in the room. Ask:
- Who are the key managers and employees, and do they know a sale is happening?
- What retention incentives or change-in-control arrangements exist?
- What’s turnover looked like over the past two years?
- How much of the day-to-day depends on the owner personally?
An owner-dependent business — one where the seller is the sales team, the operations manager, and the only person who knows the vendors — carries transition risk that a due diligence checklist alone won’t catch. This is worth a direct, uncomfortable conversation before you sign anything.
6. Does the Business Have Room to Grow?
Past performance tells you what the business has done. It doesn’t tell you what it can do under new ownership. Ask:
- What’s the realistic size of the addressable market?
- Who are the real competitors, and how defensible is the current position?
- What are the two or three levers most likely to grow revenue in year one?
- What’s customer churn and lifetime value look like?
For a deeper walkthrough of how we evaluate these five areas together as brokers, see How to Evaluate a Business Before You Buy It.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does due diligence take when buying a small business?
Most small business due diligence runs 30–90 days, with 45–60 days being typical for a Main Street or lower middle market deal. Complex businesses with real estate, multiple entities, or messy books can take longer.
Why do so many deals fall apart during due diligence?
An estimated 30–50% of signed letters of intent fail to reach closing during due diligence. Most fall apart when a buyer uncovers financial inconsistencies, contract issues, or customer concentration the seller hadn’t fully disclosed upfront — which is why asking the right questions early matters more than asking a lot of questions late.
Should I hire a professional for due diligence, or can I do it myself?
Bring in a CPA to review financials and a business attorney to review contracts and liabilities. A business broker can help you interpret what’s normal for the industry versus what’s a genuine red flag — that context is hard to get on your own, especially on a first acquisition.
What’s the single biggest red flag in due diligence?
Financials that don’t hold up to normalization — revenue or margins that look strong until you strip out one-time items, or a seller who can’t produce clean records for the past three years. Books that are hard to verify are usually hiding something, even if it isn’t intentional.
Ready to Start Looking at Deals?
Buying a business without a structured question list is how buyers overpay or inherit problems they didn’t see coming. The good news: due diligence gets easier with the right process and the right people asking the questions with you.
If you’re actively looking, browse Indiana Equity Brokers’ current business listings or check our buyer FAQ for more on how the process works. If you’d rather talk it through first, reach out directly at troy@indianaequitybrokers.com — a conversation about what you’re looking for costs nothing.
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Unlocking Success Through Co-Branding: The Modern Business Strategy Revolutionizing Commerce
The world of commerce has always thrived on partnerships. From the tailor next to the dry cleaner to today’s innovative collaborations between global brands, the concept of combining businesses has evolved into a powerful strategy known as co-branding. This modern approach is particularly popular among franchises and involves merging complementary products and services under one roof. Whether it’s fast food paired with fuel stations or coffee shops nestled inside bookstores, co-branding offers businesses a unique way to attract customers, boost sales, and optimize operations.
Let’s explore how this strategy works, its benefits, and why it’s becoming an essential tool for businesses—whether you’re a multinational corporation or a local entrepreneur working with a business broker.
Enhanced Convenience: The Cornerstone of Co-Branding Success
Convenience drives customer loyalty, and co-branding thrives on this principle. Imagine stopping at a gas station not just to refuel but also to grab a freshly made sandwich from Subway or enjoy a coffee break. These partnerships allow customers to fulfill multiple needs in one visit, saving time and effort.
For businesses, the benefits are equally compelling. When two well-established brands collaborate, they create a synergy that attracts more foot traffic. A larger, more recognized brand often helps elevate the visibility of its lesser-known partner, creating mutual growth opportunities. Shared operational costs like rent and utilities further sweeten the deal, making co-branding a financially savvy choice.
Encouraging Impulse Purchases: A Win-Win for Businesses
Co-branding doesn’t just cater to convenience—it also taps into consumer psychology by encouraging impulse purchases. Consider food cart pods or restaurant clusters where diverse cuisines are offered side by side. Customers who initially planned to grab a quick bite might end up exploring other options simply because they’re available in the same space.
This strategy works wonders for businesses looking to upsell or cross-sell their products. For instance, pairing an office supply store with a packing and shipping service allows customers to complete multiple errands in one go while potentially purchasing additional items they hadn’t initially planned for.
Improved Efficiency for Customers and Businesses
Efficiency is another hallmark of successful co-branding partnerships. By combining complementary services, businesses can streamline operations while enhancing customer satisfaction. Take the example of bookstores with built-in coffee shops—a concept that has become increasingly popular over the years. Shoppers can browse books while enjoying a snack or drink, creating an environment that encourages longer visits and higher spending.
Operational efficiency also improves through shared resources like staffing and utilities. Employees can switch between locations based on demand, optimizing labor costs while ensuring that both businesses operate smoothly. This level of collaboration not only reduces overhead but also maximizes productivity—a win-win scenario for all involved.
The Power of Partnerships: Beyond Sales Growth
While increased sales are a significant benefit of co-branding, the strategy offers much more than financial gains. Sharing space and operational resources allows businesses to reduce their overhead costs dramatically. For instance, splitting rent between two brands can free up capital for marketing campaigns or product development.
Moreover, partnerships can help brands tap into new markets by leveraging each other’s customer bases. A small local business partnering with a national brand gains exposure to audiences it might not have reached otherwise—a concept known as “national-to-local co-branding.” This approach not only boosts revenue but also enhances brand visibility on a broader scale.
Inspiring Examples of Successful Co-Branding
The success stories of co-branding partnerships are as diverse as they are inspiring. Consider Starbucks and Spotify’s collaboration to create a “music ecosystem” within coffee shops. By integrating curated playlists into the Starbucks Mobile App, both brands enhanced customer experiences while expanding their reach.
Another great example is Apple Pay’s partnership with MasterCard. This collaboration revolutionized payment systems by allowing users to store credit card information on their phones—an innovation that benefited both companies through increased adoption rates.
Even unconventional pairings like Uber and Spotify have proven successful; riders can now curate playlists during their trips, creating memorable experiences that encourage repeat usage.
Co-Branding: A Strategy for Every Business
Whether you’re running a franchise or exploring new opportunities with the help of a business broker, co-branding offers endless possibilities for growth and innovation. By strategically combining complementary products and services, businesses can attract new customers, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency—all while enhancing brand visibility.
As commerce continues to evolve, co-branding remains one of the most effective strategies for staying ahead in competitive markets. From local collaborations to global partnerships, this approach is transforming how businesses connect with customers—and each other—for mutual success.
Co-branding isn’t just about sharing space; it’s about creating synergy that benefits everyone involved—from the brands themselves to their loyal customers. Whether it’s pairing coffee with books or sandwiches with fuel stations, this strategy proves that two heads—or brands—are indeed better than one!
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How Can You Quickly Qualify Business Buyers and Avoid Wasting Months on Tire-Kickers?
When selling a business, time is the seller’s most scarce resource. Studies from the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) and BizBuySell Insight Reports consistently show that the average business for sale stays on the market 6–10 months, and up to 70% of owner-sold businesses never close because sellers waste time with unqualified or unmotivated buyers. The solution professional business brokers use is a simple, objective buyer qualification scoring system—commonly called the “Plus-Minus System”—that instantly separates serious buyers from window-shoppers.
Why Most “Buyers” Are Actually Just Browsing
Only about 1 in 10 people who inquire about a business for sale are truly ready, willing, and able to close, according to 2024 Axial and IBBA data. The rest fall into three categories:
- Dreamers living out an entrepreneurship fantasy
- Perpetual searchers waiting for the “perfect deal”
- Corporate employees who enjoy touring businesses but rarely leave their W-2 job
Without a fast filtering process, sellers can spend hundreds of hours on confidential meetings, financial reviews, and negotiations—only to watch the prospect disappear. A structured qualification system fixes this.
The Proven Plus-Minus System to Qualify Business Buyers
Experienced business brokers and M&A advisors have used variations of the Plus-Minus System for decades. It assigns objective points based on proven indicators of readiness and commitment. Score a prospect +5 or higher? Prioritize them. Below 0? Politely move on.
Red Flags – Subtract Points (High Risk of Wasting Your Time)
- Needs 100% outside financing (bank or SBA loan with no personal cash) → −4
- Has been actively searching 6+ months without an offer → −4
- Has little or no liquid cash for down payment → −3
- Currently employed full-time in corporate job (golden handcuffs) → −3
- Spouse or partner is unsupportive or unaware → −2
- Takes copious notes on legal pad/clipboard (often consultants or “due-diligence tourists”) → −2
- Says they are in “no rush” or looking for the “perfect” business → −2
- Under 25 or over 62 years old → −1
- Long-term renter despite ability to own a home → −1
Green Flags – Add Points (Strong Indicators of a Serious Buyer)
- Recently left or is leaving corporate job (burning the boats) → +3
- Understands that books & records are not the only value driver → +3
- Has sufficient cash to buy outright or make a strong down payment → +2
- No young dependents (greater risk tolerance) → +2
- Close family member currently or previously owned a business → +2
- Age 30–55 (prime entrepreneurship window) → +1
- Skilled trade or professional background → +1
- Location-flexible (willing to relocate for the right opportunity) → +1
A prospect who scores +6 or higher has historically closed at over 80% probability when represented by certified brokers (internal data from multiple IBBA member firms).
How Professional Business Brokers Use This System Daily
Top brokers apply the Plus-Minus System during the very first phone call—often qualifying or disqualifying a buyer in under 10 minutes. This protects the seller’s confidentiality and dramatically shortens time-to-close.
At Indiana Equity Brokers, we screen every inquiry before any confidential information is released. Only qualified buyers who score well advance to reviewing the confidential information memorandum (CIM) and meeting the owner.
What Should You Do If You’re Selling Your Business Yourself?
If you’re attempting a For-Sale-By-Owner transaction, adopt this system immediately. Keep a simple scorecard (even a notes app works) and update it after every conversation. You’ll be amazed how quickly patterns emerge and how much time you save.
Better yet, partner with a professional business broker from the start. The small commission you pay is often recovered many times over through faster closing, higher offers from qualified buyers, and protection of your sensitive information.
Ready to stop wasting time and attract only serious, qualified buyers? Request a confidential exit planning consultation and let us show you how we qualify prospects before they ever learn your company name.
For more strategies on maximizing value, read our guide: How to Sell Your Business in Indiana Without Regrets.
About the Author
Troy Frank is President of Indiana Equity Brokers and a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) with over two decades of experience successfully closing lower middle-market transactions across manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, and service industries. He regularly coaches business owners on buyer qualification and exit planning strategies.
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