About us

Investors looking at opportunities at an early stage sometimes involve a small team of industry experts to get an opinion about the opportunity, uncover red flags or check specific elements of the potential target.

Reliable commercial, operational and strategic due diligence is critical for investors looking into targets within the retail and dine-out sectors. We perform thorough analysis of companies which combined with our rigorous groundwork methodology result in a valued decision-making tool for investors considering acquisitions or preparing its company for a selling process.

• We analyze market dynamics, competition, future prospects and threats that can affect the positioning of the target company.
• Asset quality assessment is a key issue for the valuation of a retail/dine-out company, which is why we conduct extensive on-spot visits, perform detailed evaluations of locations and provide a deep assessment of the network quality.
• We perform in-depth analysis of all key commercial attributes (assortment and category management, price positioning, value proposal, margin mix, in-store image, layout…) and operational factors (in-store labour productivity, supply chain and logistics, organization…).
• We assess the health of the economic model of the company, its profitability and generation of operational cashflow.
• We identify the whitespace potential and the opportunities for expansion.
• We help designing the future strategy and work on key operational improvements.
• We support the building-up of the business plan, setting key hypothesis of the model.
• Moreover, Beragua assists pre and post investment and can also be a co-investor on the deals we advise.

• 100 days plan: execution is key, particularly during ‘first 100 days’ after the completion of the transaction. Whether there is Top Management in place or not, we can combine our top-level advisory with executive implementation and/or coaching of local teams.
• Ongoing support to Management: we work hand-in-hand with management teams to support strategy and operations with the aim of pulling the right value levers.
• Identification of add-ons: selection of potential targets to acquire in the Company’s home market as well as in international territories. Additionally, we evaluate the strategic fit of the models, potential synergies and integration roadmaps.
• Preparation of equity story: creation of a compelling business case for the preparation of the selling process of the Company.

Other services requested by investors include:

• Identification of opportunities: due to our experience in our focus industries, we can quickly detect promising opportunities or disrupting models.
• Business plan support: as industry experts we can support with our analysis to build the main hypothesis of a business plan. If requested, we can also develop a business plan from scratch.
• Expansion potential: due to our in-house methodology based on years of experience, we help investors to determine the expansion potential of a business in a specific market or markets
• Pieces of research: white papers about industries, specific models, strategies…

Management Assessment: due to our regular contact with top managers, we are able to quickly assess the skills and capabilities of key Management Team members, mentor them to reach targets and facilitate contacts with industry experts and managers.

By identifying strategic opportunities and defining initiatives to tackle them, retailers can improve their long-term prospects and stimulate growth. Our aim is to help maximize returns on these initiatives with the purpose of creating a winning commercial format, an optimal cost structure and strong operational efficiency. We focus on:

• Identify the most interesting market positioning and differentiation options
• Set priority targets, key points of value and potential synergies
• Determine enhancements to reposition formats
• Evaluate upgrades of the commercial model
• Identify operational, supply chain and organizational improvements
• Analyze the expansion strategy and procedures
• Look for CAPEX and real estate optimization

Value proposal repositioning allows retailers and dine-out companies facing unfavorable market dynamics to identify critical points for improvement and define new strategic options for the sustainability and success of their business models in the long term. We focus on developing effective differentiation from competitors and supporting the creation of competitive advantages.

• Our approach is based on a comprehensive and thorough analysis of the company, its market, consumption trends and consumer preferences, potential threats and current and future competitive dynamics.
• Partnering with management team we establish feasible and achievable roadmaps, identifying strategic options, critical paths and priorities.

We have the expertise to assist retailers during their implementation paths and provide methodological tools for high quality execution.

Due to the constantly changing environment and conflicts in priorities between the different stakeholders of the business, a value creation plan is essential for retailers that wish to create value in the medium term. It enables companies to transition from an initial moment with undefined company goals and diverse interests to a stage of alignment in which tactical and strategic priorities are clear, well communicated and supported by initiatives.

We create a plan in partnership with management translating the Business Plan into specific initiatives, creating priorities and quantifying their impact in the Company as a whole. The final result of the project is a short- and long-term Plan that the Management owns and believes.

• The engagement starts with a diagnosis to familiarize ourselves with the market and the business. The intention is to build a big and detailed picture that allows the management to set a clear view of where they want to go.
• Partnering with the management team we establish strategic workshops in which main alternatives are discussed and value initiatives are agreed.
• The initiatives are translated into a business plan, which depicts the impact that each will have in the company.
• Roadmaps for implementation by initiative are prepared to have a clear path of action.
• Support to their execution is a critical part of our work as well.
• We also become a liaison between the company and shareholders, with whom we share the status of the project at all times.

We have a strong track record helping our clients in developing entry strategies in new markets.

• We assess the feasibility of the new market, its long-term potential and existing entry barriers.
• We analyze the market situation in relation to the client’s goals and identify whether an organic or acquisition strategy is most appropriate.
• We develop entry strategies that include:
  • Expansion potential, formulation of Master Expansion Plan
  • Value proposal differentiation based on analysis of the competitive environment
  • Creation of new formats and models
  • Assessment of potential
  • Analysis of the new economic model

Real estate market assessment, availability and costs of premises

The development of new business models allows retailers to be adapted to the market’s needs and gain more sustainable competitive advantages. Using our broad international experience, we identify the most appropriate format for each client and help implement state-of-the-art practices.

• We assess new business models:
  • Identifying strategic opportunities and fit with current company formats
  • Drawing main lessons from best-in-class experiences in similar models
  • Designing the value proposal (commercial and operational)
  • Establishing implementation plans
• We design and develop franchise models, covering:
  • Target market segments
  • Appropriate management system (hard or soft franchise) and its economic model
  • Commercial and operational model and franchisee profile
  • Business plan development
  • Support for implementation (test phase and roll-out)

Supply chain and in-store operations are the main cost drivers for retailers and together account for almost 60% of the total operating expenses. Because of this, the creation of efficient and productive systems is critical for retailers.

• We develop logistic systems and support Companies with implementation. Whether retailers want to centralize, integrate or redesign the whole system we can bring expertise and decide the best solution for the business.
• We can assess the efficiency of the system and provide a diagnosis of the main areas to improve.
• We evaluate in-store productivity and help retailers improve with quick wins and longer-term solutions.

Other services requested by retailers include:

• Assessment of M&A targets and their strategic fit
• Shareholder presentations
• Presentations to Board of Directors
• KPI dashboards
• Decision tools
• Pieces of research: white papers about industries, models, strategies…