Meet Our Team

Frank Nunziata-President, Owner and Licensed Real Estate Broker

Frank Nunziata is President, Owner, and the licensed Real Estate Broker of the First Choice Business Brokers Columbus Ohio office. He has over 40 years of extensive experience in accounting, sales, marketing, and business ownership. Frank holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and started his career, working for PWC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) as a public accountant. Additionally, Nunziata has held senior and executive level positions for numerous Fortune 500 companies. After leaving corporate America, Nunziata started an independent accounting practice, specializing in client businesses, having 50 or less employees.

Nunziata has detailed first-hand knowledge of what it means to operate a Main Street business as he has personally owned both independent and franchised business operations. Nunziata is also the Area Representative for First Choice Business Brokers in the state of Ohio. In that role he works closely with the Franchiser of First Choice Business Brokers and with other Ohio offices helping them to achieve their business goals. He has been a licensed Real Estate Agent since 2005 and in 2009 became a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Ohio. He has helped numerous business owners negotiate leases for both existing and start-up businesses.

In addition, Nunziata has been a Business Broker since 2004, and his unique background differs markedly from most business brokers in the industry. Drawing on his vast experience in accounting, real estate, business ownership, and corporate America, Nunziata applies his experience to YOUR specific situation. Whether you are coming from corporate America, own your own business, or buying or selling a business, Nunziata has the experience to relate to your situation. His skills will be working directly for you to reach your goals.

Frank Nunziata is member in good standing with the OBBA “Ohio Business Brokers Association,” "Columbus Board of Realtors," the "Ohio Association of Realtors,” and the "National Association of Realtors."

PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
Graduated: Saint Peter’s University BS Degree in Accounting 1981

Employers:
PWC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) - Public Accountant
Kraft Foods / Nabisco - Internal Auditor, General Accounting Supervisor, Manager Manufacturing Accounting
L & F Products (Division of Eastman Kodak) - Corporate Accounting Manager
Reckitt Benckiser - Director of Corporate Accounting

Businesses Owned:
Owned an Accounting Practice specializing in client businesses having 50 or less employees.
Owned two independent Bagel Bakeshop Deli's.
Owned two Quizno’s Classic Sub shops.
Owned a Sandwich shop Broad St Bagel and Deli.
Former Master Franchiser of Buffalo Wings and Rings for Central Ohio.
Present Owner and Real Estate Broker of Jim Tharp Realty
Present Owner of First Choice Business Brokers

Business Brokerage:
Business Broker 2004-Present (more than 18 Years)
From 2004 Owner and Real Estate Broker of Jim Tharp Realty. To better serve his business clients in 2022 Nunziata joined First Choice Business Brokers and Owns and operates the Columbus office.

Licenses:
Real Estate Sales License 2005 - 2009
Real Estate Broker License 2009

Affiliations:
OBBA "Ohio Business Brokers Association"
"Columbus Board of Realtors"
"Ohio Association of Realtors" and "National Association of Realtors"

Grant Duncan, First Choice Business Broker

Grant Duncan is a lifelong resident of Central Ohio.  Grant understands the opportunities and challenges of operating a small business as he has worked with small businesses his entire life, from helping with his family's small businesses when he was growing up to starting several successful businesses on his own years later.  Grant started business brokerage with First Choice in 2022, and has an educational background in science and economics from Bowling Green State University.  Grant has strong ties to his local community and is known as an honest and persevering personality.  Grant looks forward to putting his experience and genuine work ethic to work selling your business.

Keith Hadley is a business broker with the Columbus, Ohio offices of First Choice Business Brokers. He comes on board bringing nearly 40 years of business experience in all areas of business. Keith has a BS/BA in Finance from the University of Akron and started his career by working in the family owned accounting and tax practice. Upon graduation and moving to Columbus, he worked his way up through the financial, turnaround and compliance ranks in both private and public traded companies; he ultimately ended up serving as CFO for a publically traded company.

The allure of business ownership led him to buying his first business by diving in with both feet and never looking back. Over the years he’s operated, bought and sold businesses in the following areas: several accounting and tax practices, a publishing company, a soccer instruction program for preschoolers (a franchise), a line of bbq and hot sauces,  building and running a food manufacturing plant, a bakery, a restaurant (a franchise), and a commercial painting company.

Having  bought, operated and sold businesses in various industries has provided him with a very unique skill set through these experiences and by having been on both sides of the table as both Buyer and Seller. In several cases he bought and turned around underperforming businesses, which ultimately resulted in very lucrative sales prices. As a result of these experiences, he comfortably and passionately works hard with the best interests of his clients always at the forefront.

Growing up I usually found ways to go against the grain or challenge the adults in my life. Why was something a certain way?  Just because “it’s always been that way” doesn’t mean it was the best way. This line of thinking led very nicely to a psychology degree. It also allowed me to learn that systems, processes and procedures are at the very core of the industry for why brands/business models work well and become successful. 

My “how I got into business ownership” story is not a super warm and fuzzy Pinterest story, created by a well thought out series of choices.  I had experience working for Fortune 500 companies in sales & marketing but like many, 2009 was a pivotal year.  My spouse at the time was laid off from what was supposed to be an extremely secure position.  But that year came along with a different plan…. once again teaching another generation, nothing is guaranteed.  Friends of ours owned multiple businesses - 5 Stanley Steemer locations and were also pioneers by investing into a new industry concept – Skyzone.  They recommended we investigate business ownership through franchising.  This was very intriguing as their overall lifestyle, freedom, financial stability, flexibility, leadership, scalability, and control over their lives was fascinating....they were not following the scripted normal.  Coming fresh off the idea that the traditional career route isn’t always secure, we decided to look into the idea of investing in ourselves.  We looked at purchasing a resale of Stanley Steemer, but options were scarce.  The best one would take us from Ohio to California.  We ended up being awarded a new territory of a painting franchise in Northeast Ohio, which led to purchasing a resale territory within the brand, and then a flooring business with a business partner.  

Fast forward to today, I now use my business purchasing, ownership and franchise experiences to help clients sell their current business or purchase a business.  Educating sellers on the process along with the pros and cons that come with any big decision.  I can also guide prospective buyers by understanding their goals, needs and objectives in a business.  People sell businesses and invest into businesses for different reasons, this journey can take many turns.  You must want the outcome you intended to achieve.  You must be prepared to face some facts and some fears.  

Sometimes you create your own path, or sometimes your path creates itself.  It's usually about timing and the willingness to pay attention, to take notice and listen.  People sell, buy and invest for different reasons.  Let’s find yours. 

Don’t worry if needed – my psych degree will kick in for good measure.