PJ Solomon vs Sawaya Partners
Comparing two boutique M&A advisors · Last updated April 7, 2025
| Attribute | PJ Solomon | Sawaya Partners |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Industry specialist | Industry specialist |
| HQ | New York, NY | New York, NY |
| Founded | 1989 | 2001 |
| Sector focus | Consumer, Retail | Consumer, Retail |
| Deal size | $50M-$1B | $50M-$1B |
| Senior team |
|
|
| Rating | Locked | Locked |
| Reviews | 0 verified | 0 verified |
Choosing between PJ Solomon and Sawaya Partners
PJ Solomon and Sawaya Partners both work in Consumer, Retail. Founders running a sell-side process in those categories often see both names on their advisor longlist, which is why this comparison comes up. Both firms position themselves as industry specialist advisors, so the choice is less about category and more about pattern recognition, senior attention, and process fit.
PJ Solomon is headquartered in New York, NY and was founded in 1989, while Sawaya Partners operates out of New York, NY and was founded in 2001. Sharing a home market gives both firms similar buyer-side relationship density, so the differentiator tends to be senior attention rather than geography. On deal-size focus, PJ Solomon states $50M-$1B while Sawaya Partners states $50M-$1B.
For founders deciding between PJ Solomon and Sawaya Partners, the honest recommendation is to take a working session with each named partner before signing. Read the firm-level reviews on BankerNotes for the pattern that matters most: did the partner who pitched the mandate run the buyer calls and final negotiations, or did the work slide down the org chart by week six. That pattern, more than league-table position, is what separates a good outcome from a mediocre one.
PJ Solomon is a industry specialist headquartered in New York, NY and founded in 1989. The firm focuses on Consumer, Retail and typically advises on transactions in the $50M-$1B range. Key dealmakers include Cathy Leonha...
Sawaya Partners is a industry specialist headquartered in New York, NY and founded in 2001. The firm focuses on Consumer, Retail and typically advises on transactions in the $50M-$1B range. Key dealmakers include Toufic ...
Frequently asked questions
- What is the main difference between PJ Solomon and Sawaya Partners?
- PJ Solomon is a industry specialist HQ'd in New York, NY (founded 1989), focused on Consumer, Retail, with a typical deal range of $50M-$1B. Sawaya Partners is a industry specialist HQ'd in New York, NY (founded 2001), focused on Consumer, Retail, with a typical deal range of $50M-$1B. Beyond those facts, the most reliable differentiator is senior banker attention, which BankerNotes reviews are designed to surface.
- Which firm has better founder reviews, PJ Solomon or Sawaya Partners?
- PJ Solomon's current rating is Locked (reviews unlock after five verified founders submit ratings). Sawaya Partners's current rating is Locked (reviews unlock after five verified founders submit ratings). Read the individual firm profiles for the full review breakdown.
- Should I shortlist both PJ Solomon and Sawaya Partners?
- For most founders evaluating sell-side advisors with overlapping sector and deal-size fit, putting both on a shortlist is reasonable. The point of a bake-off is to test how the senior team behaves under pressure, how the firm shapes the buyer universe, and how it handles a difficult diligence question. Treat the shortlist as an interview, not a beauty contest.
- How does BankerNotes verify reviews of PJ Solomon and Sawaya Partners?
- Every review is submitted by a founder who confirms they hired the firm as their sell-side advisor. We verify the reviewer privately using work email, LinkedIn, and approximate engagement timing. The verified identity is never published. Only the rating, written review, and a generic sector label appear on the public page.
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Last updated: April 7, 2025