(FORTUNE Small Business) – Sure, it's tough when kids leave home. But for some clans, letting the business go is tougher.

HEBREW NATIONAL

FOUNDED: In 1928 by butcher Isadore Pinckowitz. SOLD: Son Leonard Pines (the surname was changed in 1950) sold the business, then National Foods, to Riviana Foods for $13 million in 1968. "He was able to accumulate a nest egg for the first time in his life," explains Leonard's son Skip Pines. But when Colgate-Palmolive bought Riviana in 1976, sales stagnated. BOUGHT BACK: In 1980 by Skip Pines. WHY? "It wasn't getting much attention," he says. OUTCOME: The younger Pines scored his own nest egg by selling Hebrew National to ConAgra in 1993 for around $100 million.

JIM HENSON CO.

FOUNDED: In 1955, the year Kermit debuted on TV's Sam and Friends. SOLD: After Jim Henson's sudden death in 1990, son Brian Henson led the business until February 2000, when he and his siblings sold out to German media company EM.TV & Merchandising for $680 million. BOUGHT BACK: In May 2003, by the five Henson children, for $89 million, minus the Sesame Street characters, which EM.TV sold separately. The deal came together in two weeks. WHY? The kids, uncomfortable with other buyers, wanted to protect their father's legacy. OUTCOME: Brian Henson promises "new and expanded strategic relationships." Stay tuned.

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO.

FOUNDED: In 1971, as First Commander; renamed in 1973 after Charles Schwab bought out his investors. SOLD: In 1983, to BankAmerica, for $55 million in stock. "We were growing so fast, I needed the capital to keep going," he says. BOUGHT BACK: In July 1987, goes public in September, just before market crashes. WHY? Schwab felt BankAmerica "didn't have a keen sense of commitment," he said at the time. OUTCOME: After the crash came the bull market of the 1990s. Customer assets peaked at $1 trillion in 2000. Billionaire Schwab joined the ranks of America's richest men. --D.W. AND JULIE SLOANE