Sunbelt Business Brokers is one of the largest business brokerage networks, with franchised offices that list and market businesses to find third-party buyers for a commission. WETYR is an operator-buyer that acquires a business directly and confidentially, as the principal, with no commission to the seller.
Verdict: Use Sunbelt if you want a franchised broker to run a marketed process and cast a wide net for a buyer, and you accept the commission of $40,000 to $60,000 per $500K and reduced confidentiality. Choose WETYR if you want a confidential, direct sale to the buyer who will actually operate the business, a fast and certain close, and no commission out of your proceeds.
Side by side
| Factor | WETYR (operator-buyer) | Sunbelt (brokerage) |
|---|---|---|
| What they are | The buyer, buying to operate | A franchised brokerage that finds a buyer |
| Fee to you | $0, we buy as principal | commission of $40,000 to $60,000 per $500K on the sale |
| Time to close | 30 to 75 days | 6 to 12 months typical |
| Confidentiality | High, no public listing | Lower, marketed to a buyer pool |
| Consistency | One operator, one standard | Varies by franchise office and agent |
| Who buys | WETYR | A third party the office locates |
| Best deal size | $1M to $50M revenue | Main Street to lower-middle-market |
When Sunbelt (brokerage) is the better choice
Sunbelt, or any established brokerage, is the better choice when you have no buyer in hand, want a marketed process across a wide pool, and prefer to hand the whole search to a broker on a contingent fee. Their scale and local offices can find buyers for ordinary businesses that would otherwise be hard to sell, and competitive interest can lift the price. If reach and a done-for-you search matter more than confidentiality and fee savings, a large brokerage is built for that.
When WETYR is the better choice
WETYR is the better choice when you want the process kept private, when you want to deal with one operator-buyer instead of a rotating cast of agents and unscreened inquiries, and when you would rather not pay a five- or six-figure commission. Because we buy as a principal and operate what we buy, we can commit quickly and close on your timeline, and the person you talk to is the person who will run the business afterward.
What it costs
Sunbelt offices charge a success commission, commonly $40,000 to $60,000 per $500K, sometimes with a minimum fee on smaller deals. On a $3M sale that is $240,000 to $360,000. WETYR charges the seller nothing on a direct purchase. If we are not the right buyer, we can introduce you, with your OK and at no cost to you, to registry buyers whose buy box fits; you then deal with them directly, and WETYR takes no fee tied to a closing.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Questions people ask about this comparison
How much does Sunbelt charge to sell a business?
Sunbelt offices typically charge a success commission of roughly $40,000 to $60,000 per $500K of sale price, often with a minimum fee on smaller deals. Exact terms vary by franchise office. On a $5M sale, a commission of $50,000 per $500K is $500,000 out of your proceeds. Confirm the exact rate, any minimum, and any upfront fee before signing a listing agreement.
Is Sunbelt or a direct buyer better for selling my business?
It depends on what you value. Sunbelt runs a marketed search for a buyer and charges a commission. A direct operator-buyer keeps it confidential, costs no commission, and closes faster, but does not run a wide auction. Match the path to whether reach or privacy-and-certainty matters more.
Can I sell my business without a brokerage like Sunbelt?
Yes. Brokerages are one option, not a requirement. You can sell directly and confidentially to an operator-buyer, or approach a known strategic buyer yourself, with no franchise brokerage involved. A direct sale has no listing agreement and no commission, and you keep your own transaction attorney and accountant to protect your interests.
Will Sunbelt keep my sale confidential?
A brokerage markets your business to a buyer pool, so more people learn it is for sale than in a direct, single-buyer process. Listings are usually anonymized, but a marketed process is inherently less private than a direct sale. In a direct sale, financials go to one buyer under a mutual NDA.
Get a confidential read on your options
A 30-minute call with the operator, not a broker. We tell you honestly which path fits your business.