Question 1

How much is my restaurant worth?

Accepted Answer

Typical restaurant businesses sell at 1.5–2.8× SDE (Seller's Discretionary Earnings) for smaller deals, or 3–5× EBITDA for larger transactions. Actual valuation depends on customer concentration, growth rate, owner dependency, and market timing.

Question 2

How long does it take to sell a restaurant?

Accepted Answer

Most restaurant sales close in 6–10 months from kickoff to closing. Preparation and valuation: 2-4 weeks. Marketing and buyer vetting: 8-16 weeks. Due diligence: 6-10 weeks. Closing: 2-4 weeks.

Question 3

Who buys restaurants in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Typical buyer types include: Owner-operators; Restaurant chains; Hospitality groups. SAZ has direct relationships with buyers in each category and targets only those that fit your specific business.

Question 4

What's most important in due diligence for a restaurant?

Accepted Answer

Buyers focus heavily on: Lease assignment; Liquor licence transfer; Health inspection; Equipment. SAZ pre-diligences these areas before listing — surprises in DD kill deals or compress price.

Question 5

What drives valuation for restaurants?

Accepted Answer

Key value drivers in this industry: Location & foot traffic; Lease terms (length, rent); Liquor licence; Brand & reviews; Concept. SAZ positions your business to maximize these in the CIM and buyer conversations.

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