13 consumer M&A advisors active in Seattle in 2026. Covers food, beverage, retail, and consumer products deals with firm profiles and recent transactions.
Consumer deal volume fell 18.9% in 2025. But signs of a rebound are showing in early 2026.
PE sponsors held companies too long. That backlog is finally starting to clear.
Seattle has a deep bench for consumer M&A. Food, beverage, retail, and outdoor brands all transact here.
Set up a virtual data room before your first advisor call. Consumer buyers check brand ownership, contracts, and financials from day one.
| Firm | Deal Type | Deal Size | Sector Focus | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cascadia Capital | Cascadia Capital | Both | $20M - $500M | Consumer, Retail, Food, Technology, Industrials | cascadiacapital.com |
| ACT Capital Advisors | ACT Capital Advisors | Both | $5M - $150M | Food, Beverage, Seafood, Consumer, Distribution | actcapitaladvisors.com |
| Exvere | Exvere | Sell-side | $10M - $200M | Consumer, Manufacturing, Food, Hospitality | exvere.com |
| Alexander Hutton | Alexander Hutton | Both | $10M - $200M | Consumer, Technology, Manufacturing, Healthcare | alexanderhutton.com |
| Chinook Capital Advisors | Chinook Capital Advisors | Both | $10M - $100M | Consumer, Industrials, Business Services | chinookadvisors.com |
| Houlihan Lokey | Houlihan Lokey | Both | $100M - $5B | Consumer, Technology, Healthcare, Multi-sector | hl.com |
| Capstone Partners | Capstone Partners | Both | $10M - $500M | Consumer, Food, Retail, Business Services | capstonepartners.com |
| Kroll | Kroll | Both | $25M - $1B | Consumer, Food, Restaurant, Retail | kroll.com |
| Lincoln International | Lincoln International | Both | $50M - $2B | Consumer, Technology, PE-backed, Industrials | lincolninternational.com |
| Solomon Partners | Solomon Partners | Both | $100M - $5B | Consumer, Retail, Leisure, Lifestyle | solomonpartners.com |
| PMCF | PMCF | Both | $10M - $300M | Consumer, Food, Beverage, Retail | pmcf.com |
| Piper Sandler | Piper Sandler | Both | $50M - $2B | Consumer, Retail, Food, Technology | pipersandler.com |
| CLA Meridian Capital | CLA Meridian Capital | Both | $15M - $300M | Consumer, Food, Technology, Industrials | meridianib.com |
How to verify an advisor's track record
Ask for a list of closed deals with buyer names and dates. Consumer M&A boutiques and generalist banks reach different buyer pools.
Advisors who know Seattle consumer M&A can name recent transactions. Vague claims about sector coverage are a warning sign.
Check whether they've run both PE-backed and founder exits. Seattle consumer deals attract both buyer types.
Use Ellty to share financials with shortlisted advisors under NDA. You'll see who opens your files before the first call. Browse the full advisors directory to compare options. Read the sell-side due diligence guide before prepping your files.
Running a Seattle consumer deal?
Share your financials with buyers under NDA. Track who opens them.
Start free 14-day trialHow a Seattle consumer deal runs
Seattle consumer M&A typically runs five to eight months. Brand rights, distribution contracts, and inventory add complexity.
| Stage | What happens | What you need ready | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1: Preparation | Stage 1: Preparation | Run QoE, build CIM, shortlist advisors by consumer sub-sector | Three years P&L, brand ownership records, distribution contracts |
| Stage 2: Advisor engagement | Stage 2: Advisor engagement | Sign engagement letter, align on buyer list | Cap table, supplier contracts, key customer agreements |
| Stage 3: Marketing | Stage 3: Marketing | CIM sent to buyers, NDAs signed, management meetings set | Ellty data room live with CIM and financial records |
| Stage 4: LOI | Stage 4: LOI | Buyers submit bids, LOIs negotiated, exclusivity signed | Clean revenue data, no open brand or contract disputes |
| Stage 5: Due diligence | Stage 5: Due diligence | Buyer reviews legal, financial, and brand records | Full Ellty data room: brand docs, contracts, financials |
| Stage 6: Close | Stage 6: Close | Purchase agreement signed, funds transfer | Reps and warranties signed, transition plans ready |
13 Seattle consumer M&A advisors
These 13 firms advise on consumer M&A in Seattle. Coverage spans food, beverage, retail, consumer products, and outdoor brands.
1. Cascadia Capital
A leading Seattle investment bank active in consumer, retail, and food M&A with 316 completed deals.
Recent Deals: Advised Modes Corwik on a MASSiv Brands investment (November 2025). Advised Badgley Mischka on its sale to ACI Licensing (April 2025). Advised Mann Lake Bee & Ag Supply on its sale to a private investor group (April 2025).
LinkedIn: Cascadia Capital LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, retail, food, technology, industrials, healthcare
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $20M - $500M
Location: Seattle, WA
Website: cascadiacapital.com
2. ACT Capital Advisors
The oldest and largest Seattle M&A firm, founded in 1986, with deep expertise in food and seafood deals.
Recent Deals: Advised Key Trucking on its acquisition by Estes Logistics (February 2026). Advised Derotic Emergency Equipment on its sale to Amerit Fleet Services (December 2025). Active in food, beverage, and seafood M&A through 2025-2026.
LinkedIn: ACT Capital Advisors LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Food, beverage, seafood, consumer products, distribution, manufacturing
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $5M - $150M
Location: Seattle, WA
Website: actcapitaladvisors.com
3. Exvere
A Seattle sell-side boutique since 1991 with 150+ deals and $3B+ in total transaction value.
Recent Deals: Active in consumer, food, manufacturing, and hospitality M&A in the Pacific Northwest through 2025-2026. Advises privately held companies on sell-side mandates. Michael Brustkern leads the firm as Chairman and CEO.
LinkedIn: Exvere LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer products, food, manufacturing, hospitality, aerospace
Deal Type: Sell-side
Deal Size: $10M - $200M
Location: Seattle, WA
Website: exvere.com
4. Alexander Hutton
A Seattle investment bank since 1986 and the Oaklins member firm for the Pacific Northwest.
Recent Deals: Advised Diversified Plastics on its sale to The Rubber Group (2025-2026). Active in consumer, manufacturing, and business services M&A through 2025-2026. Completed 220+ transactions across multiple sectors.
LinkedIn: Alexander Hutton LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, technology, manufacturing, healthcare, home services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M - $200M
Location: Seattle, WA
Website: alexanderhutton.com
5. Chinook Capital Advisors
A Kirkland boutique with 50+ years of team experience and 100+ completed lower-middle-market deals.
Recent Deals: Advised Sno Valley Process Solutions on its sale to ACI Mechanical (January 2025). Advised Sea-Tac Electric on a 2025 transaction. Active in consumer and industrials M&A across the Pacific Northwest through 2025-2026.
LinkedIn: Chinook Capital Advisors LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, industrials, business services, manufacturing, distribution
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M - $100M
Location: Kirkland, WA (serves Seattle market)
Website: chinookadvisors.com
Selling a Seattle consumer business?
Set up your data room before your first advisor call. Track who opens it.
Start free 14-day trial6. Houlihan Lokey
The top US mid-market M&A advisor by deal count with a dedicated consumer and retail practice.
Recent Deals: Ranked number-one in US mid-market M&A by deal volume in 2025. Active in consumer, retail, and food M&A nationally through 2025-2026. Serves the Pacific Northwest with a dedicated consumer practice.
LinkedIn: Houlihan Lokey LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, retail, technology, healthcare, multi-sector
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $100M - $5B
Location: National (serves Seattle market)
Website: hl.com
7. Capstone Partners
A national mid-market bank with a dedicated consumer practice and annual consumer M&A reporting.
Recent Deals: Published 2026 Annual Consumer M&A Report tracking sector trends. Active in consumer, food, and retail M&A nationally through 2025-2026. Reported consumer deal volume fell 18.9% in 2025 with a rebound expected in 2026.
LinkedIn: Capstone Partners LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, food, retail, business services, industrials
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M - $500M
Location: National (serves Seattle market)
Website: capstonepartners.com
8. Kroll
A global middle-market advisor with one of the most active consumer, food, and restaurant M&A teams.
Recent Deals: Published Food and Beverage M&A Industry Insights - Winter 2026. Active in consumer, restaurant, and retail M&A globally through 2025-2026. Covers PE-backed and founder-owned consumer businesses of all sizes.
LinkedIn: Kroll LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, food, beverage, restaurant, retail
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $25M - $1B
Location: National (serves Seattle market)
Website: kroll.com
9. Lincoln International
A global mid-market bank with 430+ transactions in 2025 and a US IPO filing in April 2026.
Recent Deals: Filed for US IPO in April 2026 with $214.1M net income in 2025, up 31%. Closed 430+ transactions in 2025 across consumer, technology, and industrials. Active in PE-backed consumer and retail M&A through 2025-2026.
LinkedIn: Lincoln International LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, technology, PE-backed, industrials, business services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $50M - $2B
Location: National (serves Seattle market)
Website: lincolninternational.com
10. Solomon Partners
A New York advisory firm with a dedicated consumer retail and leisure practice covering large mandates.
Recent Deals: Active in consumer retail, leisure, and lifestyle M&A nationally through 2025-2026. Advises public and private companies on complex M&A and strategic assignments. Covers sponsor-backed and founder-owned consumer companies.
LinkedIn: Solomon Partners LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, retail, leisure, lifestyle, food
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $100M - $5B
Location: National (serves Seattle market)
Website: solomonpartners.com
11. PMCF
A middle-market bank focused on consumer, food, and beverage M&A with deep sector expertise.
Recent Deals: Active in consumer, food, and beverage M&A nationally through 2025-2026. Advises business owners and financial sponsors on sell-side and buy-side mandates. Provides strategic counsel alongside deal execution across consumer sub-sectors.
LinkedIn: PMCF LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, food, beverage, retail, distribution
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M - $300M
Location: National (serves Seattle market)
Website: pmcf.com
12. Piper Sandler
A national investment bank with a dedicated consumer and retail practice covering mid-to-large deals.
Recent Deals: Active in consumer and retail M&A nationally through 2025-2026. Covers omnichannel retail, branded consumer products, and food and beverage. Has a dedicated consumer group with deep sector relationships.
LinkedIn: Piper Sandler LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, retail, food, technology, financial services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $50M - $2B
Location: National (serves Seattle market)
Website: pipersandler.com
13. CLA Meridian Capital
A Seattle-based mid-market bank with $22B in transaction value and 30+ years in the Pacific Northwest.
Recent Deals: Advised Hostwinds on its acquisition by HostPapa (April 2026). Joined CLA to expand investment banking nationally (April 2026). Active in consumer, food, and industrials M&A through 2025-2026.
LinkedIn: CLA Meridian Capital LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Consumer, food, technology, industrials, aerospace, business services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $15M - $300M
Location: Seattle, WA (also Portland, Salt Lake City, Bay Area)
Website: meridianib.com
Consumer deal trends in Seattle in 2025-2026
Global consumer M&A deal value rose 41% in 2025. That growth was driven by twelve megadeals worth more than $5B each.
Median EV/EBITDA multiples fell to 9.2x - a 10-year low. Smaller deals got repriced while large strategic deals closed.
PE firms are sitting on a growing backlog of aged portfolio companies. That pressure points to more consumer exits in 2026.
Use Ellty to share your brand records and financial files with multiple buyers. Set granular permissions so each buyer only sees what their NDA covers. Review the merger vs acquisition guide before your first advisor call. Ellty's trackable links let you monitor buyer engagement from the first share.
Food, beverage, and outdoor brands in the Pacific Northwest
Pacific Northwest food and beverage M&A is a distinct sub-market. Seafood, specialty food, and outdoor lifestyle brands all transact here.
ACT Capital Advisors has covered Pacific Northwest seafood M&A since 1986. Cascadia Capital added consumer deal capacity with a new MD hire in late 2025.
Outdoor recreation M&A grew 47.7% in 2025. The Pacific Northwest is a natural home for outdoor lifestyle brand exits.
Use Ellty to organize brand documentation for buyer review. Share trademark records and license agreements through secure file sharing before diligence begins. Read the due diligence timeline guide to plan your process. Compare advisors at the Seattle M&A advisors page before narrowing to consumer specialists.
Getting your consumer deal documents ready
Seattle consumer founders often start the advisor search before files are organized. Buyers check brand records, supplier contracts, and financials in week one.
You'll need clean brand ownership, no open IP disputes, and three years of financials. Any gap in your distribution contracts will surface early in diligence.
Retail and food businesses also need inventory records and customer concentration data. Buyers want to know your top five customers and their revenue share.
Use Ellty to build your data room before outreach begins. Track which buyers open your brand files and how long they spend on each document. Browse private equity buyer types before setting your target list. Review the how to prepare for due diligence guide well in advance of advisor pitches.
How Ellty helps you close an M&A deal in Seattle
You've picked your Seattle consumer advisor. Set up your data room next.
- 1.Upload brand records, contracts, and financialsOrganize files by type. Consumer buyers check brand ownership first.
- 2.Set access by buyer type and NDA statusPE buyers and strategic acquirers need different document sets.
- 3.Track who reviews your key filesSee which buyers open your contracts and how long they spend.
Common questions about Seattle consumer M&A advisors
- Food, beverage, outdoor recreation, and retail are most active. Outdoor brands grew 47.7% in deal volume in 2025.
- Local advisors know the Pacific Northwest buyer pool and recent deals. National consumer boutiques reach more PE sponsors.
- Most consumer deals run five to eight months. Brand rights and distribution contracts can extend the timeline.
- Brand ownership, supplier contracts, customer concentration, and three years of financials. Gaps slow or reprice deals.
- Before your first advisor call. Buyers expect brand records, contracts, and financials ready from day one.
- ACT Capital Advisors and Cascadia Capital both focus on food and consumer. Exvere also handles hospitality and food deals.
