Business purchase opportunity–A client of the law firm has asked us to post the following information about the sale of an ice cream and sweet shoppe:
After recently receiving her green card, the owner is wishing to sell her business in Southwest Florida. The business is a well-known national ice cream franchise and confectionery business, located in a mall and anchored by major tenants.
This shoppe offers customers an impressive selection of fine confections and ice cream, all in an enjoyable, service-oriented atmosphere and is designed to give a warm welcome and a nostalgic nod to the good ol’ days of old-fashioned sweet shoppes. From fine chocolates, handmade fudge, and caramel apples, to their own original recipe ice cream, the shoppe offers a selection of quality confections.
Annual revenues are $400,000, allowing the owner to have a salary of $75,000 (including benefits). Low staffing requirements. Equipped with full remote camera monitoring system. Appliances and leasehold improvements are in excellent condition. The business is well-suited for a couple working part-time. Owner is willing to train Buyer on operations. Priced between $450,000-$550,000.
For franchises, this shoppe offers a successful, modern business backed by years of experience.
For more information, please call (514) 947-1993 or e-mail kamal@mekhal.com.
E-2 and EB-5 investors come to Florida’s West Coast for its mixture of relaxed atmosphere, ideal climate, cultural sophistication, and business opportunities. At our firm we see entrepreneurs, investors, and business people from around the world and we assist them in obtaining their version of the American dream. Quite often, however, we do not feel qualified to advise international investors on which business opportunity to pursue. As a result we have sought out and allied ourselves with the Florida Gulf Coast’s most qualified M & A professionals. Edward Valaitis, Certified Business Intermediary, is one of them.
E-2 and EB-5 Investors can Find a Valuable Resource in Mr. Valaitis
Mr. Valaitis has an impressive set of experiences and expertise. Where most business intermediaries will either have experience as entrepreneurs, professional services or in the corporate world, Mr. Valaitis has all three:
Partner of a New York City based regional CPA firm with practice responsibility over the Internal Audit, Sarbanes Oxley, SAS, 70 and Information Security Services.
CEO of accounts receivable management firm serving hospitals, cities and medical groups.
Co-Founder of BDO Seidman’s Risk Consulting Division which he helped build from zero to $30 million in three years with offices in NYC, Boston, San Francisco and Houston.
National Director for Jefferson Wells International a highly successful national risk consulting practice. During his tenure he had hands-on involvement in many facets of growing this start-up firm from zero to $120 million in revenue in four years.
Mr. Valaitis is also one of only 85 Certified Business Intermediaries in the state of Florida. He has been an active member of the CEO Council of Tampa Bay, Association for Corporate Growth and University of Tampa He is comfortable in the world of international business, traveling to Lithuania, London and Canada for ongoing engagements.
Mr. Valaitis and his firm are very active in main street and middle market business transactions, leading both “sell-side” and “buy-side” engagements. They serve and define businesses with annual sales up to $20 million. Most serious buyers retain his services so they can find just the right business, right price and right location.
E-2 and EB-5 investors who are considering buying a business on Florida’s beautiful Gulf Coast should contact Mr. Valaitis for assistance in finding the right investment opportunity. Remember that the right investment can help an immigrant investor qualify for a visa that would allow them to live and work in the United States. E-2 and EB-5 visas are just two options. Our firm also works with many L-1 immigrant business people.
Interested parties can contact Mr. Valaitis over the phone: 800-975-3198<tel:800-975-3198>, or via email: ed@marketchief.com.
For more information on how to qualify for an E-2 or EB-5 investor visa please feel free to follow the links below:
Ready To Go this 1,500 SF restaurant features great visibility in the busy Gulf Gate shopping area. Awesome restaurant space with hood, walk-in cooler and freezer, ADA compliant bathrooms, outdoor seating, high ceilings and like-new equipment. Even better….this is a corner unit with lots of windows, great signage and visibility.
For immigrant investors who want to know whether this business could help them qualify for an investment visa, please contact the brokers, collect the relevant financial information and present it to P. Christopher Jaensch. For more information on how to qualify for an investor visa, please see our video.
We recently received word that there is commercial space available at 2001 Siesta Drive in Sarasota. This space is currently built out as a Day Spa. The spa is fully stocked and ready to begin operating immediately. The space can also be renovated as professional office – ideal for a law firm, real estate, or title office. The location is ideal, right on the corner of Siesta and US 41, above Roys and Flemings.
Space Available:
4,428 sf
Lease Rate:
$15.00 sf/yr (NNN)
For more information on the space please contact:
Diane Lawson: 941-780-6136 or diane.lawson@svn.com
Linda Emery: 941-914-5133 or linda.emery@svn.com
Immigrant investors could use the space to establish a business as part of a strategy to obtain an investor visa. For more information on how to obtain an investor visa please see our video: E-2 or EB-5 Investor Visas: How to Use Commercial Property to Qualify, or contact Chris Jaensch: 941-366-9841 or chris@visaamerica.com.
Please enjoy the photos below:
For information on more ways to qualify for an investor visa, please see the video below of Chris Jaensch speaking about using commercial property to qualify for an E-2 or EB-4 investor visa.
Our immigration attorneys regularly work with foreigners who want to invest and start businesses in Florida. There are 2 main strategies we recommend to immigrant investors and entrepreneurs: the E-2 and EB-5 visas.
E-2 investor visas are popular with immigrant investors as a way to qualify by investing a substantial amount of money in a new or existing enterprise that is real and active and will either produce more than a living wage for the investor and his/her family or will make a significant economic contribution through job creation. The visa often allows an investor to stay in the US for 2 to 5 years and is renewable.
The E-2 visa can ultimately lead to an EB-5 green card if the investor invests $500,000 to $1 million and creates 10 new full time jobs. For more information on E-2 and EB-5 investor visas and their requirements please watch our latest video on the subject.
At ImmigrationSarasota.com we often receive notifications of businesses for sale. We like to share these opportunities with our readers who may be looking for a new investment opportunity or for a way to qualify for an E-2 and EB-5 business. Sharing this information does not constitute a statement that this business would help an investor qualify for visa. We need to see more detailed financial information in order to provide our opinion on the business’ viability. Any investor who may be interested can request the financial details from the business broker and present them to us for an opinion.
Business for Sale
There is a new business opportunity in Southwest Florida. The business broker believes that it will help a foreign investor qualify for an E-2 visa. At this point we do not have enough financial information about the business to declare that it would do so. We decided to list it here and anyone interested can inquire with the business broker. More information is available with a confidentiality agreement.
The broker reports that the business is a high-end salon and day spa located in one of Southwest Florida’s most affluent areas. The spa services clients all year round. Over 4000 square feet offering high quality treatments from facials, massage therapy, and body treatments, to hair styling and more. The owner is willing to train and proof of funds is necessary.
All rooms are equipped with service tables, sinks, hot cabinets, racks, mirrors, plants etc. Day spa and salon software is included. A complete website with full supported domain as well as email is included. The manager and receptionist are fully trained and will stay on board. This business has a positive cash flow. Retail inventory is separate at approximately $23,400.
Over 4500 sq ft with lease is available. The owner will renegotiate on good terms with qualified buyer. All fixtures and equipment included. Retail inventory is available separate.
The asking price is $395,000USD.
For more information please feel free to contact Della Booth: 239-699-4493.
There is a new EB-5 investor visa regional center program in South Florida that is currently seeking foreign investors. This EB-5 program is administered by a company called QueensFort Capital which is the exclusive franchisee of Sonic Corporation, a fast-food chain, in the region. The program intends to develop 50 new Sonic restaurants throughout South Florida with the capital from EB-5 investors.
EB-5 Investor Visa
In order to qualify for an EB-5 visa, a foreign investor must invest $1 million – or $500,000 in an area of high unemployment – in a new or existing commercial enterprise and the investment has to lead to the creation of 10 new full-time jobs for Americans.
QueensFort Capital is using its status as the exclusive franchisee of Sonic Corporation in South Florida to build a successful EB-5 program. They channel the foreign investment from immigrants who want to obtain an EB-5 green card to develop and operate new Sonic restaurants. South Florida gets a new restaurant and jobs and the investor obtains an EB-5 visa to live and work in the US. So far, according to QueensFort, the EB-5 program has been 100% successful in getting EB-5 investor visa approvals.
About Sonic Corporation
Sonic is the largest franchisor of fast‐food drive‐in restaurants in the U.S. it is a publicly listed company that trades on the NASDAQ under SONC, has more than 3,500 restaurants nationwide.
The brand has been part of the U.S. culture since 1953. It is a mature concept with a business model that has proven to be successful for more than 50 years.
QueensFort will complete construction on its 4th Sonic restaurant in October 2013 and will be seeking EB‐5 investors for its 5th and 6th locations in October 2013.
All future Sonic EB‐5 transactions will utilize the same investment structure from QueensFort’s previously approved Sonic EB‐5 deals.
About QueensFort Capital Corporation
QueensFort differentiates itself from other franchisees by taking the fast-food dining experience to a higher standard that fuses style and functionality. They also differentiate themselves by serving a wide selection of wine and beer at their locations.
QueensFort financed a portion of the Sonic Miami Gardens development with foreign investor capital accessed through the EB-5 program. They claim a 100% track record with EB-5 investor approvals for the Sonic Miami Gardens transaction and its previous EB-5 Sonic transactions.
Those interested should feel free to contact QueensFort Capital with further questions.
QueensFort Capital Corporation 1000 5th Street, Suite 223 Miami Beach, FL 33139 Info@Queensfortcapital.com (T) 305.424.4444 (F) 305.402.0333
Sarasota immigration attorneys often work with immigrant investors and entrepreneurs who want to live and work and grow a business in the United States. Two of the strategies we recommend pursuing involve the E-2 and EB-5 investor visas. E-2 investor visas are popular with immigrants as a way to quailfy for residence based on an immigrant’s entrepreneuerialism. Immigrant investors qualify by investing a substantial amount in a new or existing enterprise that is real and active and will either produce more than a living wage for the investor and his/her family or will make a significant economic contribution through job creation. The visa often allows an investor to stay in the US for 2 to 5 years and is renewable. The E-2 visa can ultimately lead to an EB-5 green card if the investor invests $500,000 to $1 million and creates 10 new full time jobs. For more information on E-2 and EB-5 investor visas and their requirements please watch our latest video on the subject.
Large Business for Sale
As stated above, immigrant investors qualify for an E-2 Visa by investing a substantial amount in a new or existing enterprise. While we are not in the business of recommending enterprises to potential E-2 investors, we know many business brokers who are. Recently we heard from Tony Dempsey of Sunstate Business Brokers about a business he recently listed for sale that may help an immigrant investor qualify for an E-2 visa.
Mr. Dempsey reports that the business is a physical therapy clinic in a desirable location. Growth has been and continues to be outstanding, as has profitability. The owner has created a unique and dynamic business model with a diverse approach to securing multiple patient referral sources, large and diverse service offerings, bilingual staff, classes and clinics provided, revolutionary FDA approved technology, in addition to DME sales and a weight management program; all this coupled with first class billing and administrative systems. Part of the attractiveness of this business as a potential acquisition is the fact that the owner is no longer involved in the day to day running of the business; that being left to management and the other therapists. The owners currently spend much of their time out of state and will be moving westward to be close to their family and start another physical therapy clinic there.
The asking price is $999,000. Gross revenues: $1,184,518. Cash flow: $360,172. The business comes with $10,000 in inventory and $110,000 in furniture, fixtures, and equipment included. The clinic was established in 2005, and has 15 employees. It is located in a 2950 sq foot modern facility on a major traffic artery. Rent is $3200/month.
E-2 or EB-5?
Our assessment is that this investment opportunity could be an option for someone looking for an E-2, L-1 or EB-1 visa. But, this would not work for an EB-5 because the regulations normally require the creation of 10 new full time jobs. The only way it could work for an EB-5 would be:
If the business has a substantial loss for one out of the past 2 years (in which case, the EB-5 investor can qualify if it preserves 10 FT jobs) OR
The EB-5 investor creates 10 additional FT jobs within 2 years.
Small Business for Sale
Mr. Dempsey also shared a second, smaller business prospectus with us. He reports that a well established Franchise would provide the new owner with a repetitive revenue stream from the constant reordering of a highly consumable product in a Business to Business environment. This coupled with a productive retail/production facility captures additional revenues from the consumer marketplace. The owner is highly motivated and will offer financing for a financially qualified buyer.
This is an established local franchise store, one of 1600 franchised retail locations in 50 countries, that originally focused on the refill and remanufacture of ink and toner cartridges for printers, but which has now expanded to include an array of related services supporting home and office printer users. This includes offering HP and Canon printers for sale, which makes a perfect complement to the printer cartridges they offer. In fact, for more than 20 years the franchises have been not only perfecting the art of remanufacturing printer cartridges, but also providing world-class customer support for hundreds of new printer products. This local franchise services virtually any item that serves a printing function, including fax machines, postage meters, photocopiers and more. Their focus is on Business-to-Business but also service the end user retail market with a 100% guarantee on their OEM remanufactured ink and toner cartridges and special promotions throughout the year. They pick up and deliver in a 3 county area.
With $332,321 in gross income, 20,000 in inventory, and 2 employees, the asking price is $150,000.
Qualify for an E-2?
We urge investors to be aware that this business may not by itself help an investor qualify for an E-2 visa. However, it could be part of a successful strategy that includes other businesses or an expansion plan to open new locations. For any questions about these businesses please contact Tony Dempsey at Sunstate Business Brokers: 941-932-5512. For more information on how to qualify for an E-2 or EB-5 investor visa, please feel free to contact us: 941-366-9841.
EB-5 Investor Visas are granted to those who invest $1 million or $500,000 in an existing commercial enterprise and create 10 new US jobs. The difference in the investment amount depends on whether the enterprise is located in an area of high unemployment. For a full blog post on the requirements please see our previous blog post on EB-5 Investor Visas.
For a while after these visas were created immigrant investors had to find an existing commercial enterprise themselves. Then the government permitted regional centers. Regional centers pool investments and manage the money as well as the creation of jobs. Different regional centers operate in different ways. Some concentrate on maximum returns to the investor, others on exit strategy.
New EB-5 Investor Visa Model – E3IG Logo
Now there is a new model. E3 Investment Group of New York have developed a 3rd way to manage EB-5 investments. Their press release explaining the program is copied below:
E3 Investment Group has achieved a critical milestone by securing its first investor in its innovative Scalable-Direct(TM) EB-5 program business model.
NEW YORK, N.Y., July 31, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — via PRWEB – E3 Investment Group, headquartered in New York, announced today that it signed its first investor in its Scalable-Direct(TM) EB-5 investment business model. The Scalable-Direct(TM) model may be the first of its kind to allow foreign nationals who invest their capital as part of the United States government’s EB-5 immigrant investor visa program to receive the benefits of an enterprise class organization, while each remaining independent from all other investors by being the only investor in its entity. This is designed to allow the investor to receive permanent residency in the United States, while using their capital to create jobs in high unemployment areas for US citizens and permanent residents.
According to Matt Gordon, Managing Director of E3 Investment Group, “The Scalable-Direct(TM) business model is simple. Each investor invests the required $500,000 in its own entity. The money buys the operating assets and hires ten or more employees. That satisfies the U.S. Government EB-5 program requirements. We manage all the entities together to provide economies of scale and high quality management to reduce the risk. Unlike other models, different investors’ assets and employment creation are never mixed.”
“Now that we have completed this critical milestone, we look forward to continuing to build out our program and help many of the world’s best, brightest and most entrepreneurial citizens accomplish their goal of helping build America and living the American dream.”
About E3 Investment Group
E3 Investment Group is a 21st century private equity firm that with three mandates, the three E’s: Employment – to create well paying, long term jobs; the Environment — to conduct our operations so that we minimize our impact in the industries in which we focus; and Earnings – so we can ultimately repay our investors, do well for ourselves and do good for the communities in which we operate.
The latest EB-5 news reports that adjudication of EB-5 visa applications will be moving to Washington, DC.
On December 3, 2012, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas noted on a stakeholder conference call that within four to six months, EB-5 responsibilities will be moved to Washington, DC, under a new EB-5 Program Office. The chief of the new office will report to the USCIS Deputy Director. According to unofficial reports on the call, Director Mayorkas said a goal is to move toward a more dynamic, direct e-mail relationship between adjudicators and the public, and to move away from the current “request for evidence” model. The new EB-5 Program Office will handle adjudications, legislative affairs, and policy, in addition to having full-time staff devoted to identifying fraud.
In other news, USCIS released the latest DACA statistics on December 13. As of that date there were 367,903 submitted applications of which 355,889 were accepted. There have been a total of 336,464 biometrics scheduled and there are 157,151 cases under review. Of the total applications that were submitted, only 102,965 have been approved. This means that only 27.9% of cases have been approved thus far. To see the most updated graph, please see here.
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