Sunbelt Business Brokers is the world’s largest business brokerage network, founded in 1978 by Ed Pendarvis in Charleston, South Carolina. Headquartered in Independence, Ohio, the company operates through a franchise model with licensed offices worldwide. Sunbelt provides services for Main Street businesses (valued under $5 million) and Middle Market companies (valued between $5 million and $100 million), offering business valuations, confidential marketing, buyer screening, and transaction management. In 2006, Sunbelt was acquired by Merrymeeting, Inc., a Cleveland-based investment firm specializing in franchised brands. Today, Sunbelt brokers facilitate thousands of transactions annually and maintain the largest proprietary database of businesses for sale globally. The company remains privately held and continues to expand its international footprint.