Benjamin Ross Group Review

Benjamin Ross Group, a business brokerage and M&A advisory firm based in the Philadelphia area, closes 96% of the listings it takes on. That gap is significant, and it's the central claim the firm makes when pitching itself to prospective sellers.

This review takes a close look at what Benjamin Ross Group actually offers, who it serves, how its process works, and whether its track record holds up to scrutiny.

Benjamin Ross Group is a business brokerage and mergers and acquisitions firm that has been operating for over 30 years.

Founded by Michael Lefkowitz, who remains the managing partner, the firm is headquartered in the greater Philadelphia area and primarily serves business owners across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and New York.

Its core focus is on helping small to mid-sized business owners exit their companies, whether through outright sales to individual buyers, strategic acquisitions, or SBA-financed transactions.

The team includes certified business brokers, financial analysts, and transaction advisors. Key personnel beyond Lefkowitz include Michael Meyer (Partner), Ross Lefkowitz (Partner, MBA), Beth Goodman (Vice President of Transactions, JD), and Leigh Kelly (Director of Buyer Relations, MBA).

The mix of legal, financial, and operational backgrounds on the team is worth noting for sellers who need more than just a matchmaking service.

The firm's services break down into three main categories:

The brokerage side is the core of the business. The firm manages the full transaction lifecycle, from the initial confidential consultation through buyer vetting, offer negotiation, due diligence, financing coordination, and final closing.

Sellers don't have to manage the process themselves or disclose their intent to sell publicly — confidentiality is maintained through NDAs and a selective disclosure process.

Benjamin Ross Group uses a three-stage process that is straightforward and designed to keep the seller out of the weeds:

• Confidential Consultation: The process starts with a private conversation about the owner's goals, followed by a market-based valuation.
• Buyer Matching: The firm draws on its database of pre-qualified buyers, private investors, and industry contacts to find candidates who are financially vetted and operationally aligned with the business.
• Negotiate and Close: The team handles offers, due diligence coordination, financing (including SBA loan facilitation), and closing paperwork.

One detail that stands out: the firm is selective about which businesses it takes on. It focuses on well-managed, profitable companies, which is partly why its close rate stays high. Taking on fewer, better-qualified listings makes the 96% figure more achievable than it might seem at first glance.

That said, it also means sellers with businesses in rough shape or early-stage operations may not be a fit.

Benjamin Ross Group works across a broad range of industries. Based on their listed businesses sold and current listings, the firm regularly handles transactions in:

• Manufacturing
• Construction and Trades
• Healthcare and Medical Services
• Professional Services
• Distribution and Logistics
• Food and Wholesale Distribution
• Restoration and Property Services
• Retail and Franchise Businesses

Geographically, the firm's primary market is the Mid-Atlantic region, with an especially dense footprint in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. They have completed transactions in Maryland, Delaware, and New York as well, so sellers in those states are within scope.

Benjamin Ross Group operates on a success-based fee model. There are no upfront fees for their core services, and they are transparent about costs from the start of the relationship. This structure means the firm gets paid when the business sells, which aligns their incentives with the seller's.

For business owners who are cautious about paying retainers or listing fees without any guarantee of a sale, this model removes a significant barrier to entry.

The testimonials on the Benjamin Ross Group website are extensive and specific enough to be useful. A few patterns emerge across multiple reviews:

• Speed of the process consistently exceeded sellers' expectations. Clint Phillips of Bridgeville, Delaware noted that serious interest and an offer arrived in days, not months.
• Multiple sellers mention receiving full-price offers, including Paul Messa of Philadelphia, who reported five full-price offers within 48 hours.
• Sellers dealing with complex or emotionally charged situations, such as the death of a spouse who owned the business, specifically cited the team's patience and communication as critical to the outcome.
• Jeff Wanders of Bucks County, PA sold his Budget Blinds franchise after receiving a full-price offer in the first week from a pre-qualified buyer already in the firm's database.

These aren't vague endorsements. The specificity of the outcomes described, including financing coordination, multiple competing offers, and short time-to-sale windows, adds credibility to the overall picture.

A few strengths stand out after reviewing the firm in full:

• The 96% close rate, while self-reported, is consistent with what clients describe in testimonials and recent press releases showing completed transactions.
• The team has genuine legal and financial depth, which matters during due diligence and when SBA financing is involved.
• The no-upfront-fee model removes friction for sellers who are still exploring their options.
• The firm's selectivity in listing businesses actually benefits the sellers it does work with, since buyers in their network are conditioned to see well-prepared, credible listings.

No brokerage is the right fit for every situation. A few things potential clients should think through:

• Because the firm is selective, not every business owner who inquires will be accepted as a client.
• The firm's primary strength is in the Mid-Atlantic region. Sellers based far outside Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, or New York may find the network less robust.
• All performance figures on the website are self-reported. Independent third-party verification isn't available, so prospective clients should ask for references and specifics during the consultation.

Benjamin Ross Group has built a legitimate track record over three decades as a Mid-Atlantic business brokerage, with a close rate, transaction volume, and client feedback that few regional firms can match.

For a business owner in the Philadelphia-area market looking to exit a profitable, established company, it's a firm worth a serious conversation.