13 consumer M&A advisors active in Austin in 2026. Covers retail, food & beverage, CPG, restaurant, and brand deals with firm profiles and recent transactions.
Consumer M&A in Texas stayed active through 2025. The state ranked third in the US for deal volume.
Food, beverage, and retail exits all closed in Austin last year. CPG buyers, PE sponsors, and restaurant groups compete for the best assets.
The right advisor knows which buyer pool fits your consumer sub-sector. A restaurant boutique and a CPG generalist reach different acquirers.
Set up a virtual data room before your first advisor call. Consumer buyers check brand agreements and supplier contracts early.
| Firm | Deal Type | Deal Size | Sector Focus | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan Kingston Advisors | Morgan Kingston Advisors | Both | $5M - $150M | Restaurant, Retail, Consumer, Food & Beverage | morgankingston.com |
| Westlake Securities | Westlake Securities | Both | $10M - $250M | Consumer, CPG, Technology, Business Services | westlakesecurities.com |
| Capstone Partners | Capstone Partners | Both | $10M - $500M | Consumer, Retail, Food & Beverage, Business Services | capstonepartners.com |
| PCE Investment Bankers | PCE Investment Bankers | Both | $10M - $300M | Consumer, Retail, Healthcare, Business Services | pcecompanies.com |
| PMCF Investment Banking | PMCF Investment Banking | Both | $10M - $300M | Consumer, Food & Beverage, Retail, Industrials | pmcf.com |
| Houlihan Lokey | Houlihan Lokey | Both | $100M - $5B | Consumer, Retail, Food & Beverage, Multi-sector | hl.com |
| Lincoln International | Lincoln International | Both | $50M - $2B | Consumer, Technology, PE-backed, Business Services | lincolninternational.com |
| Benchmark International | Benchmark International | Both | $5M - $250M | Consumer, Multi-sector, Business Services | benchmarkintl.com |
| Transact Capital Partners | Transact Capital Partners | Sell-side | $5M - $100M | Consumer, Business Services, Multi-sector | transactcapital.com |
| EQ Capital Strategies | EQ Capital Strategies | Both | $5M - $100M | Consumer, Business Services, Multi-sector | eqcapstrategies.com |
| Focus Strategies | Focus Strategies | Both | $10M - $200M | Consumer, Technology, Business Services, Real Estate | focus-strategies.com |
| Navidar | Navidar | Both | $20M - $500M | Consumer, Technology, Software, Business Services | navidar.com |
| IMAP | IMAP | Both | $20M - $500M | Consumer, Retail, Food & Beverage, Multi-sector | imap.com |
How to verify an advisor's track record
Ask for a closed deal list by consumer sub-sector. A restaurant boutique and a CPG bank reach different buyers.
Advisors who know Austin consumer deals can name transactions with buyers and dates. Vague claims of "consumer experience" without closed deals are a warning sign.
Check whether they've worked with both strategic and PE buyers. Austin consumer exits often attract both at once.
Use Ellty to share your financials with shortlisted advisors under NDA. You'll see who opens your files before the first call. See the full advisors directory before signing an engagement letter. Review the sell-side due diligence guide to prepare your files.
Running an Austin consumer deal?
Share brand agreements and supplier contracts. Track who opens them.
Start free 14-day trialHow an Austin consumer deal runs
Austin consumer M&A typically runs five to nine months. Brand licensing, franchise agreements, and supplier contracts add complexity.
| Stage | What happens | What you need ready | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1: Preparation | Stage 1: Preparation | Run QoE, build CIM, shortlist consumer advisors | Three years P&L, brand contracts, supplier agreements |
| Stage 2: Advisor engagement | Stage 2: Advisor engagement | Sign engagement letter, align on buyer list | Cap table, key licenses, franchise disclosures |
| Stage 3: Marketing | Stage 3: Marketing | CIM sent, NDAs signed, management meetings set | Ellty data room live with CIM and brand financials |
| Stage 4: LOI | Stage 4: LOI | Buyers submit bids, LOIs negotiated, exclusivity signed | Clean revenue data, no open brand disputes |
| Stage 5: Due diligence | Stage 5: Due diligence | Buyer reviews brand, financial, and legal records | Full Ellty data room: contracts, licenses, financials |
| Stage 6: Close | Stage 6: Close | Purchase agreement signed, funds transfer | Reps and warranties signed, transition plans ready |
13 Austin consumer M&A advisors
These 13 firms advise on consumer M&A in Austin and across Texas. Coverage spans food & beverage, retail, CPG, restaurant, and brand deals.
1. Morgan Kingston Advisors
An Austin boutique focused on restaurant and consumer brand M&A in the middle market.
Recent Deals: Covered SPB Hospitality's sale of Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom (July 2025). Hosted "2026 M&A Forecast: Is the Restaurant Sector Ready to Reignite?" at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference 2025. Active in restaurant, retail, and consumer M&A through 2025-2026.
LinkedIn: Morgan Kingston Advisors LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Restaurant, retail, consumer, food & beverage
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $5M - $150M
Location: Austin, TX
Website: morgankingston.com
2. Westlake Securities
An Austin middle-market bank with $6.7B+ in closed transactions and active CPG deal coverage.
Recent Deals: Co-advised NaturPak on its sale to Pritzker Private Capital (January 2026). Published "CPG M&A in 2025 and 2026 - Optimism Meets Focus" outlook report. Active in consumer, CPG, and business services M&A through 2025-2026.
LinkedIn: Westlake Securities LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, CPG, technology, business services, industrials
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M - $250M
Location: Austin, TX
Website: westlakesecurities.com
3. Capstone Partners
A national middle-market bank with a dedicated consumer and food & beverage practice.
Recent Deals: Published 2026 Consumer M&A Annual Report tracking sector deal trends. Published Food M&A Update in April 2026 covering deal volume rebound. Active in consumer, retail, and food & beverage M&A through 2025-2026.
LinkedIn: Capstone Partners LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, retail, food & beverage, business services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M - $500M
Location: National (serves Austin market)
Website: capstonepartners.com
4. PCE Investment Bankers
A middle-market bank publishing quarterly consumer and retail M&A update reports.
Recent Deals: Published Consumer & Retail M&A Update reports for Q2 and Q3 2025. Active in consumer, retail, and business services M&A through 2025-2026. Advises founder-owned consumer businesses on M&A mandates nationally.
LinkedIn: PCE Investment Bankers LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, retail, healthcare, business services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M - $300M
Location: National (serves Austin market)
Website: pcecompanies.com
5. PMCF Investment Banking
A middle-market bank with deep food & beverage and consumer retail M&A expertise.
Recent Deals: Published Food & Beverage M&A Pulse reports for Q1, Q2, and Q3 2025. Recorded 114 food sector deals in 2025, exceeding prior year by 22 transactions. Active in consumer, food & beverage, and retail M&A through 2025-2026.
LinkedIn: PMCF Investment Banking LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, food & beverage, retail, industrials
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M - $300M
Location: National (serves Austin market)
Website: pmcf.com
Selling an Austin consumer business?
Track which buyers open your brand files before the first management call.
Start free 14-day trial6. Houlihan Lokey
The top consumer M&A advisor by volume in 2024 and 2025, covering food, retail, and brands.
Recent Deals: Advised on 30 consumer sector transactions in 2025 - the most of any firm by volume. Advised on Ferrara Candy Company's acquisition of CPK Group from Eurazeo (2025). Ranked number-one consumer M&A advisor by deal count for both 2024 and 2025.
LinkedIn: Houlihan Lokey LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, retail, food & beverage, multi-sector
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $100M - $5B
Location: National (serves Austin market)
Website: hl.com
7. Lincoln International
A global mid-market bank with active consumer and PE-backed company deal coverage.
Recent Deals: Closed 430+ total transactions in 2025 across consumer and technology sectors. Generated $214.1M in net income in 2025, up 31% year over year. Active in consumer, industrials, and PE-backed M&A through 2025-2026.
LinkedIn: Lincoln International LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, technology, PE-backed, business services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $50M - $2B
Location: National (serves Austin market)
Website: lincolninternational.com
8. Benchmark International
A global M&A firm with an Austin office covering multi-sector mandates including consumer.
Recent Deals: Active in consumer, retail, and business services M&A in Texas through 2025-2026. Averages 193 deal closings per year nationally across sectors. Has closed $11B+ in transactions from offices including Austin.
LinkedIn: Benchmark International LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, multi-sector, business services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $5M - $250M
Location: Austin, TX
Website: benchmarkintl.com
9. Transact Capital Partners
An Austin M&A advisor with deep local market knowledge in consumer and services deals.
Recent Deals: Active in consumer and business services M&A in the Austin market through 2025-2026. Advises founders and owner-operators on sell-side and buy-side mandates. Focuses on lower-middle-market businesses in consumer and service sectors.
LinkedIn: Transact Capital Partners LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, business services, multi-sector
Deal Type: Sell-side
Deal Size: $5M - $100M
Location: Austin, TX
Website: transactcapital.com
10. EQ Capital Strategies
An Austin M&A consulting firm advising owners on consumer and multi-sector transactions.
Recent Deals: Active in consumer and business services M&A in the Austin market through 2025-2026. Advises business owners on M&A planning, deal structuring, and exit execution. Focuses on lower-middle-market businesses in Austin and across Texas.
LinkedIn: EQ Capital Strategies LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, business services, multi-sector
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $5M - $100M
Location: Austin, TX
Website: eqcapstrategies.com
11. Focus Strategies
An Austin investment bank with $7B+ in closed transactions covering consumer and multi-sector.
Recent Deals: Advised JKB Construction on a transaction (2025). Active in consumer, technology, and business services M&A through 2025-2026. 100+ collective years of deal experience across the team.
LinkedIn: Focus Strategies LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, technology, business services, real estate
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M - $200M
Location: Austin, TX
Website: focus-strategies.com
12. Navidar
An Austin investment bank with 400+ completed transactions across technology and consumer sectors.
Recent Deals: Advised Sincere Corporation on its acquisition of Timehop (2025). Active in technology, consumer, and software M&A through 2025-2026. Alumni of Goldman Sachs and Bear Stearns lead the Austin team.
LinkedIn: Navidar LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, technology, software, business services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $20M - $500M
Location: Austin, TX
Website: navidar.com
13. IMAP
A global M&A network with consumer and retail advisory covering cross-border deals.
Recent Deals: Advised on consumer and retail M&A transactions nationally and internationally through 2025-2026. Active in food & beverage and consumer products M&A with cross-border buyer access. Provides access to international strategic acquirers across 40+ countries.
LinkedIn: IMAP LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, retail, food & beverage, multi-sector
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $20M - $500M
Location: National (serves Austin market)
Website: imap.com
CPG and food & beverage M&A in Austin
Texas ranked third in the US for consumer and retail deal volume in Q1 2026, with 88 transactions. Food and beverage exits drove much of that activity.
Food sector M&A rose 66.7% YTD in 2026 versus the prior year period. Better-for-you brands, functional beverages, and health-focused CPG attracted the most buyers.
Austin-area consumer founders benefit from access to national PE firms and strategic buyers. Westlake Securities closed the NaturPak deal in January 2026.
Use Ellty to share your brand financials and supplier agreements with buyers. Set granular permissions so each buyer sees only what their NDA covers. Review the M&A process guide before your first advisor call. Track who opens your files using Ellty analytics before management meetings.
Restaurant M&A in Austin in 2025-2026
Restaurant M&A held up in Austin through 2025. Morgan Kingston Advisors tracks the sector closely from its Austin base.
SPB Hospitality sold Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom in July 2025. Craveworthy Brands added Fresh Brothers to its portfolio in November 2024.
Restaurant buyers focus on unit economics, franchise disclosure documents, and lease terms. Clean records across all three areas support better valuations.
Set up your Ellty data room before advisor outreach. Share FDDs, unit P&Ls, and lease summaries in one place for buyers. See the Austin M&A advisors page to compare consumer specialists with generalist firms. Read the due diligence mistakes guide before buyer conversations begin.
Getting brand contracts and supplier agreements ready
Consumer founders often underestimate how fast buyers move to contract review. Brand and supplier agreements are checked in the first week of diligence.
You'll need clean IP ownership, no assignment restrictions in supplier contracts, and three years of brand financials. Gaps in any of these add weeks to the process.
Check your franchise disclosure documents if the deal involves franchise rights. Buyers require FDDs that are current and state-registered.
Use Ellty to organize brand files, supplier contracts, and financial records before buyers arrive. Track which buyers open sensitive contracts before the first management call. Consumer businesses and startups both benefit from organized data rooms before buyer outreach. Use the how to prepare for due diligence guide before your first buyer call.
How Ellty helps you close an M&A deal in Austin
You've picked your Austin consumer advisor. Set up your data room next.
- 1.Upload brand files, supplier contracts, and financialsOrganize files by type. Austin consumer buyers check brand contracts fast.
- 2.Set access by buyer type and NDA statusPE buyers and strategic acquirers need different document access levels.
- 3.Track who reviews your brand filesSee which buyers open your key contracts and how long they spend.
Common questions about Austin consumer M&A advisors
- Food & beverage, CPG, restaurant, and retail are the most active. PE sponsors and strategic buyers compete for brands with pricing power.
- Morgan Kingston Advisors specializes in restaurant and consumer brand M&A. Westlake Securities also covers consumer and CPG deals from Austin.
- Local advisors know Austin buyer pools and can name recent closed deals. National firms like Capstone and Houlihan Lokey reach more PE sponsors.
- Most Austin consumer deals run five to nine months. Franchise, licensing, and supplier transfer issues can add time beyond typical timelines.
- Before your first advisor call. Consumer buyers expect brand contracts, supplier agreements, and three years of financials ready from day one.
- Brand IP ownership, supplier contracts, franchise documents, and three years of financials. Gaps in any area slow or reprice a deal.
