Operator-Led Advisory  ·  M&A  ·  Real Estate  ·  Market Entry

You built something real.Let's make sure what happens next reflects that.

JMB Advisory Services guides business owners, acquirers, and expanding brands through the decisions that determine outcomes — from first conversation to close.

$5M–$50MTransaction range
$430M+Portfolio acquisitions led
30+ yearsOperating & deal experience
Both sidesSell-side, buy-side & representation

An advisor who has been on both sides of the table

Most M&A advisors come from finance. John Bush comes from operations — co-founding and selling two businesses, leading national acquisition networks, and taking raw land through municipal entitlement to a delivered, income-producing asset.

That background matters. He understands what it took to build what you have, what a sophisticated buyer is really looking for, and where deals quietly fall apart.

JMB works on both sell-side and buy-side engagements for businesses with $500K–$5M in EBITDA, and advises owners, developers, and expanding brands on the real estate underneath the business.

Engagements begin with a confidential diagnostic — no obligation, no pressure. If there's a fit, we build a roadmap together.

Not sure what your business is worth?

Take the free 12-question sell-readiness assessment and get an honest, operator-grounded sense of where you stand — before you ever talk to a buyer.

WhatsMyBizWorth.com →

Three disciplines, one advisor

Practice Area I — M&A Advisory
For owners considering a sale, and for acquirers building through purchase.
I

Value analysis & positioning

An honest, operator-grounded estimate of what your business is worth and how to frame it for the strongest possible offers from the right buyers.

II

Buyer identification & outreach

Strategic, confidential outreach to qualified strategic and financial buyers — targeted by fit, not blasted to a database. We protect your identity until the right moment.

III

Deal structuring & negotiation

We negotiate every dimension of the deal on your behalf — price, structure, earnouts, representations and warranties, transition terms — and manage buyer due diligence with the discipline that keeps deals from falling apart at the finish line.

IV

Buy-side M&A advisory

Representing acquirers in the $5M–$50M market — identifying targets, evaluating fit, structuring offers, and negotiating for buyers who want an experienced operator's eye on both the business and the real estate underneath it.

Practice Area II — Real Estate & Asset Strategy
For owners of commercial land and buildings, and for developers.
V

Ground lease structuring & execution

For business owners who own their land — long-term NNN ground leases that convert a static asset into significant, lasting passive income. One of the most underutilized wealth-creation tools available to business owners.

VI

Sale-leaseback advisory

Unlocking the capital tied up in your real estate while retaining operational control — structuring transactions that serve both the business and the long-term asset strategy.

VII

Entitlement & land use strategy

Guiding raw and underutilized land through municipal approval — zoning analysis, CEQA environmental review, planning commission process, and agency negotiation. Direct experience includes California Coastal Commission approval and multi-county greenfield entitlement programs. This is where most development timelines are won or lost.

VIII

Distressed asset repositioning

Strategic advisory for owners of large, underperforming commercial assets in strong markets — particularly the San Francisco Bay Area. We identify highest and best use, develop repositioning strategies, and manage the transformation from concept to execution.

Practice Area III — U.S. Market Entry
For international retailers, wellness concepts, and hospitality brands entering the United States.
IX

Market selection & entry strategy

Trade area analysis, demographic and drive-time modeling, and competitive supply assessment to determine which U.S. markets genuinely support the concept — and in what sequence.

X

Site underwriting & entitlement risk

American land use is governed city by city, not nationally. Two sites that look identical on paper can differ by years and hundreds of thousands of dollars in approval cost. We map that variance before a letter of intent is signed.

XI

Local representation & oversight

We are client-side. We appoint, brief, and oversee licensed local brokers on the brand's behalf, maintaining a single accountable point of contact across markets rather than a fragmented network of independent agents.

How we work together

Every engagement starts with a confidential conversation. No obligation, no pitch. From there, a straightforward five-stage process.

01 — Diagnostic

Understand your business

Two to four weeks of deep listening — your financials, your team, your goals, your timeline. We don't recommend anything until we understand what you've built.

02 — Value Estimate

Establish what it's worth

Before any process begins, we must agree on value — comparable transactions for your sector, geographic market factors, and premiums or discounts based on established metrics.

03 — Prognosis

Assess the opportunity

An honest assessment of structure options, likely counterparty profiles, and what a realistic transaction looks like — including the things most advisors won't tell you.

04 — Prescription

Build the roadmap

A specific, time-bound plan with clear milestones — go-to-market strategy, target list, structure recommendation, and a realistic timeline to close.

05 — Execution

Run the process

We manage everything — confidential outreach, NDAs, management presentations, LOIs, due diligence, and closing. You focus on your business. We focus on your deal.

A track record across industries

Over three decades, John Bush has advised, acquired, operated, and built across consumer brands, food and beverage, retail, quick-service restaurants, car wash, furniture, and commercial real estate.

Advisory & Consulting Clients
PatagoniaTaco BellUnited PacificAmerican Seating Barnes-HindAltracoGood Earth Natural Foods Luv Express Car WashFutureXpress Car WashAmerican Canyon Car Wash La Cienega Car WashSilver BackTumeric AlivePickled Planet
Founded & Exited
Winterstick SnowboardsMilosport
Co-founded or restarted, built, and exited. Winterstick grew to a top-ten global snowboard brand.
Industry Experience
Herman MillerKnollCannondaleAlphaGraphics Grower's SecretKingsbarn Real Estate Capital Quick Quack Express Car WashIntero Real Estate Services
Brands and platforms where John has held operating, acquisition, dealer development, or consulting roles.
Select engagements listed. Additional client references available upon request under NDA.

Let's have a real conversation

Whether you're exploring a sale, evaluating an acquisition, planning a U.S. expansion, or simply want an honest value estimate — a confidential conversation costs nothing and obligates you to nothing.

OfficeSan Francisco Bay Area, California
LicenseCA Real Estate Broker #01363256
All inquiries treated with strict confidentiality.