Consumer Investment Banking

Capstone's Consumer Investment Banking Group is a leading advisor to privately owned consumer businesses seeking to fund growth and achieve liquidity.

Capstone-Partners-Consumer-Investment-Banking

At A Glance

Capstone Partners’ Consumer Investment Banking Team provides M&A, capital formation, and financial advisory services to the owners of middle market businesses in the consumer industry. Capstone is the bank of choice for fast-growing entrepreneurs driving changes in the marketplace.  The majority of transactions completed by our Consumer team are for privately-owned businesses accessing long-term investors for the first time.   Our team knows strategic buyers drive the highest valuations and we are razor-focused on getting to know each of their sweet spots in M&A.  Using that proprietary data, we will work closely with you to prep your company and put you in the ideal position for the best possible outcome.

Areas of Focus

Apparel, Footwear & Accessories

  • Apparel
  • Footwear
  • Jewelry
  • Accessories
  • Soft Goods Retailing

Beauty & Wellness

  • Beauty Products
  • Personal Care
  • Health & Wellness Products
  • Grooming
  • Private Label
  • Personal Hygiene
  • OTC Products

Consumer Enthusiast

  • Outdoor & Leisure
  • Hunting & Fishing
  • Motorized Sports
  • Sports & Fitness
  • Tactical Products

E-Commerce & Retail

  • E-Commerce
  • Direct to Consumer (DTC)
  • On-line Retailers
  • Amazon
  • Franchises
  • Hard Goods Retailing
  • Restaurants

Food & Beverage

  • Beverages
  • Frozen/Refrigerated
  • Baked/Shelf Stable
  • F&B Distribution
  • Cannabis and Tobacco
  • Food & Ag Inputs
  • Natural/Organic/Diets
  • Food Technology
  • Vitamins/Supplements
  • Pet Food & Animal Care

Household Products

  • Bed & Bath
  • DIY Products
  • Furniture
  • Giftware & Home Décor
  • Household Products
  • Juvenile Products & Toys
  • Lawn & Garden
  • Kitchen Appliances

Automotive Aftermarket

  • Retailers & Dealerships
  • Automotive Performance & Accessories
  • Aftermarket Service Providers & Distributors
  • Powersports/Off-Road
  • Heavy Duty Truck/Trailer
  • Connected Car/Technology Providers

Consumer Services

  • Real Estate Services
  • House and Garden Professional Services
  • Marketing Services

 

Recent Consumer Transactions

Consumer Investment Banking Team Leaders

What our clients are saying about us:

Capstone was a great partner for us from start to finish. They provided invaluable guidance, had terrific depth in our space, and ran a highly customized process to achieve our goals, which led to a tremendous outcome for our shareholders and employees. We’re excited that we’ve found a future with Lippert. They’ve made it clear that they admire what we’ve built, and they want to help us grow it—not change it. This acquisition gives us the opportunity to build on our legacy, expand our reach, and invest even more in our team.

Craig Freedman CEO, Freedman Seating Company

The Capstone team was our perfect partner. Their sector expertise, consistent guidance, and strategic insights were invaluable to us throughout the process. They developed a highly professional and customized process and were committed to achieving a successful outcome for the owners and our team members.

Eric Turk CEO, Conrad's Tire Express & Total Car Care

Capstone made the intensely complex and demanding process of selling a business easier just like a whitewater rafting guide experienced with the long and dangerous journey full of violent rapids and major obstacles that are difficult to avoid.

Sami Ozgen Co-founder, LightMart

Capstone was an integral part of our disposition of a multi-generational family business. Their combination of robust financial analytics and effective negotiating strategy enabled us to realize far more value in our transaction than we thought possible. They worked tirelessly to maximize shareholder return and brought creative solutions to the table to keep the deal moving forward. The entire Capstone team managed the process with high levels of professionalism, responsiveness, and commitment. We would not have enjoyed the same level of success without their work on our behalf.

Michael J. Epstein COO, Horizon Beverage

The Capstone team brought deep industry knowledge to our process and their senior level was engaged throughout. Their entire team was extremely responsive from start to finish and, most importantly, understood our business’ unique attributes. Their marketing efforts generated significant interest which ultimately led to identifying the ideal partner and a successful outcome.

Warren Sutherland CFO, CP Medical

Our management team and principal shareholders knew from the very first meeting we wanted to work with Capstone. The Capstone team brought a high level of expertise and the support we needed to successfully find the right company to acquire Ultra Pet. Capstone came up to speed quickly, gaining a deep understanding of our business and goals, and doing a great job throughout the entire process. Capstone was instrumental in our successfully closing the transaction within the timeline we set while maximizing the value of our business.

Richard Murbach CEO, Ultra Pet

Capstone was the ideal choice for us as we decided to seek a growth partner for our family business. Their knowledge and proven expertise in the automotive aftermarket are what set Yogi and his team apart from their competition. From our initial meeting to the close of the transaction, the Capstone team’s attention to detail and ongoing guidance is what allowed us to find the best partner for our company and our family of associates. Their diligent sale process enabled us to realize the full value of our business, honoring our family legacy and generations of hard work.

Dustin Dobbs CEO, Dobbs Tire and Auto Centers

The Capstone team did an outstanding job as our sell-side advisor, from creating the initial marketing materials, to using their industry contacts to identify buyers, to seeing the transaction all the way through to close. The due diligence process was rigorous, and we could not have managed it without Capstone’s counseling and assistance every step along the way. Buyers in the current market deploy deep, talented, aggressive due diligence teams that must be countered with equal depth and talent. The Capstone team brought that talent and more. Thanks to the Capstone team we were able to realize full value for the business we built over generations.

Robert Berkowitz CEO, City Line Distributors

Capstone was the perfect choice as I pursued the sale of my family business. The team spent significant time upfront to understand my business and transaction objectives. They ran a targeted and highly professional sale process and were committed to achieving the best outcome for my business. The Capstone team provided consistent guidance and were tirelessly focused on driving a successful transaction.

Nick Sardo Owner, Mama Rosie's

Capstone’s deep industry expertise and skillful process acumen led to an outcome that exceeded our initial expectations. They ran an efficient process, always made themselves available, and were patient with our many questions. Capstone delivered on all their commitments, and we were very pleased with the outcome of our engagement.

Matt McDonald Co-Founder, Five Star Golf Cars

We had the right firm in Capstone Partners for this sale process. Being in a very unique and nuanced industry, Capstone was able to leverage their expertise in DTC ecommerce and tactical and outdoor coverage, to run a process that navigated us expertly through any and all challenges we faced.

Dan Kash Owner, Kash-LAX

The team at Capstone did a great job drawing in multiple potential buyers and helped us see the value of staying in the NewCo for a second bite of the apple years down the road. Along the way, they were there to offer advice and direction in the process, and it was very comforting to know that we were dealing with a professional M&A firm that had been through this process many times. The bottom line is that we completed our deal at a fair price and with a group that we believe will be good partners for many years to come, and we couldn’t have done it without the professional help of Capstone and their team. Thank you!

Scott McBride Partner, Uncle John's Pride

The Capstone team was our ideal partner. They ran a highly professional and customized sale process and were committed to achieving a successful outcome for the owners and our team members. Their consistent guidance, capabilities, and sector expertise significantly contributed to a successful transaction with the perfect partner.

Adam Smith Founder & President, Calculated Risk

The Capstone team distinguished itself over other investment banks because of their knowledge of our industry and familiarity with its nuances. Their strategic insights were invaluable to us throughout the negotiations, and I strongly recommend them.

William Pretsch Chairman, Mahaffey

I selected Capstone Partners over four other firms based on their presentations to me, which I found to be so much more professional and committed than all the others. From that time on, they proved that I had made the right choice. They were by my side at every step of the process and did more than I ever expected. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

Robert Bolduc Owner, Pride Stores

We knew we wanted to work with Capstone from the first day we contemplated selling. The team delivered the level of expertise, support, and buyer connections we needed to successfully find the right partner to acquire MenoLabs and bring that deal across the finish line. As 20-year veteran entrepreneurs, our team moves at a very fast pace. Capstone matched us stride for stride and did not let anything fall through the cracks.

Vanessa Ford Co-Founder, MenoLabs

Capstone came up to speed quickly, gaining a deep understanding of our business and our goals. They were able to find us a buyer, where the synergy of cultures enabled the transaction to close quickly within the timeline parameters we set, while maximizing value. It took a lot of hard work on both sides, but it was a very gratifying experience!

Christine Rabe Managing Director, American Farms

We selected Capstone due to its promise of senior support and involvement. At every turn, especially in critical moments, the most senior members of their team gave their time and attention to the transaction.

Seth Goldman CEO, UrbanStems

The Capstone team leveraged their sector expertise and deep industry relationships to achieve a tremendous outcome for Sun Devil Auto, despite unprecedented market uncertainty during the COVID pandemic. Through a very customized process, they did a terrific job in driving value and striving for an optimal outcome for shareholders as well as our employees.

Tom Higginbotham CEO, Sun Devil Auto

The Capstone team did a far better job prepping us for this transaction than we possibly could have done on our own, and their guidance throughout the process allowed us to keep running the company during our busy season. They presented a thorough list of potential acquirers that ranged from private equity firms, to strategic buyers, and family offices. This was a universe we wouldn’t have possibly reached or even known about without Capstone. We ended up meeting with several very qualified partners and within a month of concluding management meetings, we reached agreement on terms of our deal. Throughout all of this, the Capstone team provided great advice and guidance.

Tom Spalding Owner, Spalding

We started speaking with the Capstone team a few years before our transaction. They were always generous with their time and attention even though we weren’t clients yet. There was no pressure and when the time finally came, we knew we would go with the Capstone team. We were very satisfied through the process, we felt supported, and guided through this whole process, and always felt that Capstone was in our corner and working to make this deal happen.

Jin Chon Co-Founder, Coop Home Goods

Learn More

To learn more about the services we offer to middle market consumer brands, reach out to Ken Wasik, Head of Consumer Investment Banking.