How François Goffin passed on his deli business

A Successful Business Takeover Thanks to OvernameMarkt.be

There comes a time when you realize you have to decide on the future of your life's work. For the 64-year-old François Coffyn, that realization came when an email from MyPension arrived in his inbox. After careful consideration, he decided to hand over his delicatessen business, Leroy. For this, he turned to OvernameMarkt.be. Four months later, the business takeover was already sealed: François could begin his well-deserved retirement with peace of mind.

For seven years, François Coffyn and his wife ran the Leroy delicatessen in Ypres with heart and soul. “Leroy mainly specializes in artisanal shrimp, fish, and cheese croquettes,” explains François. “We had a lot of regular customers, but also supplied fish shops, restaurants, and supermarkets in the region.”
François frequently thought about the future of the business. “But I didn't have any concrete plans. Until I received an email that my retirement age was approaching. That was the trigger to take structural action. Once I decided that the time was right to hand over Leroy – after all, I had been self-employed for 44 years – I contacted OvernameMarkt.be. Then everything moved very quickly.”

Both Sides of the Story

François has been on both sides of the table, as a buyer and a seller. “I took over the business myself from the previous owner. My accountant put us in touch back then. It was a long process, as more than a year passed between the first meeting and the actual business takeover.” A stark contrast to the process with OvernameMarkt.be. “The sale went much smoother than the purchase,” François nods.

Smooth Follow-Up

After a phone call with manager Guido Seghers, François was invited for a conversation. “I felt heard right away,” François says. “I could express what I wanted and how I saw it, and Guido explained what was possible and how OvernameMarkt could help. Tom Busschaert, KBC SME advisor, came by to make a valuation. Once the business was online, reactions poured in. All I had to do was answer any questions, forward the dossier to interested parties, and open the business to potential buyers.”
Throughout the entire process, Guido continued to follow up loyally. “He became my fixed contact and grew to be a trusted person. I could always seek his advice. For instance, at one point, we received an offer that was well below KBC's valuation. OvernameMarkt provided us with financial advice, allowing us to confidently decline the offer. It was very reassuring to have someone to rely on.”

Peace of Mind

What will François remember most about this process? “Definitely how smoothly everything went: no hassle, no running back and forth. The entire takeover process only took four months! Their transparent communication surely played a part. Thanks to OvernameMarkt, we set realistic expectations, which were more than fulfilled. We can hand over delicatessen Leroy to the new owners with peace of mind!”

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