3 Vital Lessons Behind Tri R Coffee’s Sale

In this week’s episode of The Mergers and Acquisitions segment, Neil Swindale and Orrin Huebner revisited their recent interview with Jeff Leider, the former co-owner of Tri R Coffee & Vending, a family business based in San Diego that was recently acquired after four decades in the industry. The conversation served as both a reflection on what to do — and what to avoid — when preparing a vending business for sale.

1. Structure Transforms Scale

Before the consultant, Tri R lacked processes, accountability, and clarity. Afterward, their team had measurable KPIs, more autonomy, and improved performance across departments. Jeff emphasized the power of aligning the team and simplifying operations: “Keep it simple — and then keep making it simpler.”

2. Selling Without Planning Can Cost You

The sale happened unexpectedly and took nine months from offer to close. It came with a tax burden Jeff hadn’t fully anticipated. He admitted that had he been better informed on issues like capital gains, asset allocation, and goodwill, he would’ve walked away with a little more.

“We didn’t realize how bad the taxes would hit us. I came back with a new number once I penciled it all out.”

This moment underscores a core M&A truth: If you’re not planning your exit from day one, you’re likely leaving money on the table.

3. Treat Your Business Like an Asset — Not a Child

Many owners become emotionally attached to their business and wait too long to sell. Jeff acknowledged this as well, noting that an acquirer had been courting them for seven years before they finally said yes. Timing is everything, especially in an industry as dynamic as vending, where macro events like tariffs, COVID, and supply chain disruptions can destroy value overnight.

Actionable Advice from the Recap

• Start thinking like a buyer today. Build processes and KPIs that show profitability without the owner’s involvement.
• Get advice early. Whether it’s a coach, a consultant, or an M&A advisor — don’t wait until it’s too late to learn the lessons.
• Define your walk-away number. As Neil noted, one operator they spoke with is planning his exit by defining what he wants to walk away with and working backward from there.

For Those Eyeing Growth:

• Empower your team. Give them ownership, decision-making authority, and clear metrics to drive performance.
• Always be exit-ready. Even if you have no plans to sell soon, having a sellable company often means you have a better-run company.

Jeff Leider’s story is a roadmap for anyone operating a vending, micro market, or office coffee business. As Orrin succinctly put it: “If you operate your business like it’s for sale from Day 1, you’ll enjoy it more, be more profitable, and walk away with more when the time comes.”

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Orrin Huebner is the CEO of Orrin Huebner LLC. After many years of being an owner/operator, he now consults and is an intermediary to the industry. His experience as a very successful operator and then leading OCS for a Canteen provides great value.