Brian Franco

CEO

Los Angeles, California, United States25 yrs 3 mos experience

Highly Stable

Key Highlights

Advised on over $2B in founder liquidity events.
Expert in increasing enterprise value for founders.
Host of influential M&A podcasts.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a strategic advisor in M&A and private equity sectors.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

PodcastingStrategic ConsultingBusiness DevelopmentBusiness Management

Other Skills

PodcastVideo podcastEarly Stage CompaniesCapital MarketsGrowth StrategiesBusinessBusiness StrategyShow HostingFinancial PlanningStrategic Planning for GrowthEBITDA GrowthRevenue & Profit GrowthRequirements AnalysisExitsHedge Funds

About

If your business cannot run without you, it is not worth what you think. Many founder-led companies generate strong revenue and healthy margins. But when the owner is the engine, valuation, leverage, and exit options are limited. I work with founders building $5M to $150M companies, particularly in home services, AEC (architecture, engineering and construction), healthcare, SaaS, manufacturing, and professional services, who want more than income. They want strategic optionality. As Founder and CEO of Meritage Partners, I have advised on more than $2B in founder liquidity events. After decades inside transactions, the pattern is clear. Premium outcomes are built long before a deal begins. Through Empire Builder, I help founders increase enterprise value before they ever go to market. That means strengthening recurring revenue, reducing key-person risk, improving financial transparency, and positioning the company for private equity or strategic buyers. I am also the author of Inevitable Exit and host of The M&A Guy Podcast, where I break down how sophisticated capital actually evaluates companies and what drives premium multiples. The goal is not to sell someday. The goal is to build a business that gives you the choice. If you want to increase enterprise value before you need it: inevitableexit.com

Experience

25 yrs 3 mos

Total Experience

9 yrs 3 mos

Average Tenure

2 yrs 7 mos

Current Experience

Meritage partners

2 roles

Host & Podcaster

Oct 2023 – Present · 2 yrs 7 mos · On-site

Welcome to "Private Capital Mastery," your essential guide to unraveling the intricacies of the private capital markets. If you're an ambitious founder or entrepreneur, we're dedicated to simplifying the complex world of private capital to help manifest your vision. Don't underestimate the value of this indispensable resource, capable of reshaping the trajectory of your business and financial future. Tune in to "Private Capital Mastery" and unlock the strategies to take charge of your company's destiny, accessing capital to collapse time and steer you toward substantial wealth.

Early Stage CompaniesCapital MarketsStrategic Consulting

Founder - Managing Partner

May 2005 – Present · 21 yrs · On-site

Early Stage CompaniesCapital MarketsStrategic Consulting

The m&a guy podcast

Host

Oct 2023 – Present · 2 yrs 7 mos · Newport Beach, California, United States · On-site

🎙️ The M&A Guy Podcast
Many founders dream of selling or scaling their company but most don’t realize the roadblocks ahead until it’s too late.
__Messy financials that destroy valuation.
__Key-person dependency that scares buyers away.
__Confusing “spray-and-pray” outreach from marketing firms pretending to be M&A advisors.
The M&A Guy Podcast exists to solve those problems.
Each week, I sit down with private equity leaders, fractional executives, and transformational advisors to share real-world solutions—how to:
✅ Clean up your financials and present numbers buyers trust
✅ Build leadership teams and cultures that make your business transferable
✅ Create growth systems that increase enterprise value before you sell
✅ Navigate the M&A process with confidence—not confusion
These 15–20 minute episodes cut through the noise and give you clear, actionable insights to prepare for an exit, a capital event, or a major growth move.
📈 Because when you’re ready, your business should be too.

PodcastVideo podcastPodcasting

Plethora businesses

Intermediary

Jan 2001 – Apr 2005 · 4 yrs 3 mos · Brea, California, United States · On-site

In 2004, at the age of 25 I rapidly elevated my client base which translated to ~72% of Plethora's revenues. In my growth and elevation I developed my vision for what is now Meritage Partners.

Capital MarketsGrowth StrategiesBusiness Development

Cgm services

Business Development Officer

Jan 1997 – Jan 2001 · 4 yrs · Los Angeles County, California, United States · On-site

At the age of 18 due to my fathers injury that disabled him, I stepped into a leadership of my fathers commercial services business and operated the business which was then passed on to my younger brother.

BusinessBusiness StrategyBusiness Management