How to Sell a Billiards Hall Business

Sell a Billiards Hall

Billiards companies are still receiving excellent valuations despite a recent downturn in industry performance. Many experts and prospective investors are predicting an industry recovery, and there is demand for established billiards companies. This guide is designed for billiard company owners who are interested in a professional valuation and/or are planning their exit strategy. 

About The Pool Hall and Billiards Industry

The pool and billiards industry provides recreational services. Primarily, they offer pool and billiard tables for rent within their establishment. Many pool and billiards halls also offer food and beverage (F&B) services, although it is typically far more limited than a full-scale restaurant. Many establishments also prioritize nightlife activity and remain open late and on weekends. The most recent statistics and projections for the billiards hall industry are:

  • There are approximately 843 billiard halls in the U.S. 
  • There was a substantial decline in annual growth (-9.2%) for the pool and billiard industry from 2018 to 2023
  • The pool and billiard industry generates $637 million in annual revenue
  • The annual profit for the pool and billiard industry is $69.5 million
  • Experts predict an increase in annual growth (2.3%) from 2023 to 2028

 

The billiards industry has declined mightily over the past five years. The decline is largely driven by increased external competition for consumers. In other words, there are simply more recreational opportunities available. The recent decline in employment rates has also contributed to an industry decline. The good news is many experts are predicting a sizeable recovery for the industry as employment rates improve and the billiards industry adapts to offer more opportunities for younger audiences. 

How to Determine The Value of Your Billiards Company

Billiards companies often receive excellent valuations up to as much as four times the company’s seller’s discretionary earnings (SDE). Ultimately, your financial information and rule of thumb data play a major role in your value, along with your unique competitive advantage, growth potential, location, and the quality of your pool and billiard tables (and other equipment and inventory). Here is the rule of thumb data for the billiards industry: 

  • Billiards company sold between 2.52 and 3.94 times the Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE)
  • Billiards company sold between 3.25 and 4.14 times the Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA)
  • Billiards company sold between 0.53 and 0.73 times the annual net sales

You should also check: How to Sell an Auto Mufflers Company

How to Sell Billiards Hall in 8 Steps

You can sell your billiards hall business by following a step-by-step process that is proven to work. Of course, your sale may look different as no two companies are the same. However, the common steps involved in the sales journey are:

  1. Choose a business broker
  2. Receive a professional business valuation
  3. Determine your asking price and timing
  4. Prepare your documents
  5. Create a sales memorandum
  6. Confidentially market your company
  7. Negotiate with buyers and plan contingencies
  8. Close the sale and transfer ownership

 

Given the complexities involved with selling a billiards hall company, we strongly recommend seeking advice from a business broker before you begin. 

Step 1: Choose a Business Broker

First and foremost, you should choose a business broker that you feel is best to assist you. Ideally, your broker should have experience in your state and local region and within your industry. You should also find a broker that understands the intrinsic value of your company and is capable of getting the most value during a sale. 

Step 2: Receive a Professional Business Valuation

Your broker will first put together a professional business valuation with a market approach (as discussed above. This determines your billiards company’s fair market value, which plays a major role in your strategy overall. 

Step 3: Determine Your Asking Price and Timing

Based on your valuation and the current state of the market, you may decide to market your company immediately or wait until the market is more generous for sellers. Your asking price is also established during this third step. 

Step 4: Prepare Your Documents

Next, you should prepare your legal and financial documents. Your broker should provide you with a list of all you may need throughout the sale. In general, this includes your: 

  • Tax returns (3+ years)
  • P&L statements
  • Cash flow statements
  • Balance sheets
  • Inventory list
  • Insurance policy
  • Lease or real estate appraisal 

 

Of course, this is not necessarily an all-inclusive list. You should ask your business broker about the specific documents you should collect. They, along with your attorney and CPA (if applicable), can help ensure you have all you need to complete the sale. 

Step 5: Create a Sales Memorandum

A sales memorandum, or sales memo, is the initial document you provide to prospective buyers who may be interested in purchasing your pool hall company. Your sales memo includes the details of your company and highlights the value your company offers. Your broker and attorney can assist with the creation of your sales memo. 

Step 6: Confidentially Market Your Company

Your broker then brings your billiards hall business to market. This is done in a confidential manner so news of the sale does not go public. Your broker screens offer as they arrive to ensure the potential buyer is qualified and the offer is legitimate. 

Step 7: Negotiate with Buyers and Plan Contingencies

Negotiations are a crucial part of the sales process that you should ensure is done properly. Your broker should work to negotiate terms that allow you to reach your financial (and non-financial) sales goals. Contingencies may also be established during this step as well. 

Step 8: Close the Sale and Transfer Ownership

Lastly, you will close the sale, which involves signing the purchase agreement and confirming that the payment has been sent and received. You will also need to transfer ownership of your billiards company to the buyer, which may involve updating legal information as well as your lease and insurance policy. You will also need to notify employees of the ownership change. 

Plan Your Exit Strategy With Sigma Mergers and Acquisitions

With decades of experience and more than 600 businesses sold, we have the experience and qualifications needed to reliably sell your pool hall or billiards hall business for fair market value. If you have questions, concerns, or are ready to get the sales process started with a free business valuation, schedule a consultation with us here at Sigma Mergers and Acquisitions. 

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Scot Cockroft Business Broker
Hi, I’m Scot Cockroft.

When I founded Sigma Mergers and Acquisitions back in 2003, I had sold my business the year prior.

Now, that can sound good, but let me tell you, back in 2003, it was not easy to sell a business. Not that I’m saying in modern day times it’s easy to sell a business, but back then I interviewed broker after broker after broker, and no one was interested in actually seeing the value that my business brought to the table.

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Sigma is a the leading business broker in with Corporate offices in Dallas/Fort Worth with roots from 1984. Over 600 businesses sold in Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas, Oklahoma and across the South. Sigma provides full business brokerage services with NO upfront fees. We provide Market approach business valuations for business sales. Sigma is passionate about helping business owners achieve their goal of financial security. Contact us today for a free no obligation business valuation. We are here to help you achieve your goals.

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