Deals

Why Mom and Pop Businesses Won’t Take Private Equity’s Calls

Local businesses across America are snubbing interest from private equity firms.

A billboard for Superior Plumbing touting its locally owned credentials.Photographer: Audra Melton for Bloomberg Businessweek

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Michael Sasso and Saijel Kishan

March 16, 2026 at 3:40 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Hi, it’s Michael Sasso in Atlanta and Saijel Kishan in New York, reporting on how small businesses across America are saying “no” to private equity. Also today, Orcel’s Commerzbank bid eases the path to full UniCredit control.

Today’s top stories