Restaurant Business Sales
Find the Best Restaurant Business Brokers
Selling a restaurant requires a broker who understands food-service margins, lease transfers, and liquor license complexities. Match with an industry specialist in minutes.
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463+
Restaurant specialists in our network
$150K–$3M
Typical deal size
1.5–3× SDE
Typical valuation multiple
Free
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Restaurant and food business sales are among the most complex transactions in the small business market. Buyers scrutinize lease terms, equipment condition, liquor licenses, health department history, and staff retention — all while trying to verify revenue that often runs partially in cash. A broker who specializes in food & beverage transactions knows these pressure points and how to address them before a buyer does.
Featured Restaurant Business Brokers
business brokers with restaurants and food businesses transaction experience — sorted by profile completeness and Broker Score.
Nanda Nandkishore
Acacia Group, Inc.
📍 Los Gatos, CA · 21yr IBBA member
Business Services · Construction · Education Services · Food & Beverage
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Vasilis Georgiou
Crossroads Business Brokers, Inc.
📍 Irvine, CA · 23yr IBBA member
Accommodations · Agriculture · Arts · Auto Related Businesses
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MATT COLETTA, LCBB,LCBI,M&AMI,CM&AP
M&A Business Advisors
📍 Calabasas, CA · 25yr IBBA member
Accommodations · Agriculture · Arts · Auto Related Businesses
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Anthony Geronimo, M&AMI, CBI, CM&AP
Transworld Business Advisors
📍 Orlando, FL · 22yr IBBA member
Arts · Construction · Education Services · Entertainment & Recreation
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Randy Bring
Transworld Business Advisors
📍 Boca Raton, FL · 23yr IBBA member
Education Services · Food & Beverage · Transportation
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George Chamblee III
First Business Resources, Inc.
📍 Dallas, TX · 23yr IBBA member
Accommodations · Agriculture · Arts · Auto Related Businesses
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What to Look for in a Restaurant Business Broker
Food & Beverage transaction history
Ask for a list of closed restaurant deals in the last 2 years. Brokers who close restaurants regularly know which buyer types are active and what valuations are defensible.
Lease negotiation experience
The lease is often the deal-killer in restaurant sales. Your broker should have experience negotiating lease assignments and landlord approvals — not just finding buyers.
Liquor license knowledge
In states with license transfer restrictions, the wrong broker can add 3–6 months to your timeline. Ask specifically about their experience with your state's ABC process.
Confidentiality discipline
Staff and supplier panic at the first rumor of a sale. A specialist broker runs a tight NDA process and manages information flow to protect your operations through close.
How Are Restaurant Businesses Valued?
Restaurants typically sell at 1.5–3× annual SDE (Seller's Discretionary Earnings). High-volume QSRs with strong franchise agreements can reach 3–5×. The biggest value drivers are: lease terms remaining (10+ years preferred), liquor license type, average weekly revenue, and staff retention. Full-service restaurants selling for under $500K are typically main street deals; $1M+ transactions usually involve multiple locations or franchise rights.
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Planning your Restaurant sale?
Read our complete guide to selling a restaurant business — valuation, process, and what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to sell a restaurant?
Typically 6–12 months from listing to close. Factors that lengthen the timeline: lease assignment delays, liquor license transfers, SBA financing requirements, and landlord approval processes. Brokers with restaurant experience can often shorten this by 2–3 months by prepping these in advance.
What is my restaurant worth?
Most restaurants sell at 1.5–3× annual SDE. SDE is your net profit plus your salary, personal expenses run through the business, and any one-time costs. A $200K/year SDE restaurant might sell for $300K–$600K depending on lease terms, revenue trend, and local buyer demand.
Should I use a restaurant-specialist broker or a generalist?
For restaurant sales, a specialist wins almost every time. Restaurant transactions involve lease assignments, liquor license transfers, health department clearances, and buyer financing through SBA 7(a) — all areas where a generalist broker can miss critical steps.
Do restaurant brokers charge upfront fees?
Reputable restaurant brokers work on commission only (typically 8–12% of sale price). Be cautious of brokers who require large upfront retainers. A small document or marketing fee ($500–$2,500) can be acceptable, but never pay thousands upfront before any work is done.
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