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How to Buy a Restaurant

Owning a restaurant can be a dream career for the right person. A promising path is to purchase an established business.
There are many profitable ones on the market today, and established businesses often have what is needed already in place – including a functional kitchen, furnishings and more.
Most importantly, the right purchase can get you income on day one – something you don’t get by starting from scratch. The process of buying a restaurant starts with the same format as most any business. 

  • Find businesses of the type you want that are for sale.
  • Study the different ones you find and visit those that pass the first screening.
  • Make an offer on the one you like best.
  • If the offer is accepted, do your due diligence to make sure everything you were told is valid and that there are no problems with the business.
  • Prepare/revise/refine a business plan
  • Arrange financing and complete the deal.

For different types of businesses there are specific issues that are common and need to be addressed. For restaurants there are several other specific things, including the following:

  • Compliance with local building and health codes.
  • Lease renewal options if in leased space
  • Liquor licensing requirements
  • What is included? Are the fixtures and furniture and equipment all owned and included? Is the inventory included? Are customer lists included? How about web sites and menu and recipes?
  • Is it a franchise and if so what rights do you get and what are the transfer costs and approval and training requirements

These are most of the major considerations. We utilize our knowledge and experience to help you work through your concerns and meet the requirements to complete the transaction.

 

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