Is a Diner for Sale Still a Viable Restaurant Type?

Posted by Robin Gagnon on Jan 16, 2013 5:50:00 PM

Diner for SaleSo I’m listing a diner for sale and asking myself this question, “Is a Diner for Sale Still a Viable Restaurant Type? and "Does anyone still want to buy a diner?"  You know the ones I’m talking about, the greasy spoon down on the corner that you hit up when you’re hung over or visit on Sunday mornings when you sleep too late?  The one where you’re sure the grill hasn’t been scoured for years but that’s part of the charm when your eggs take on the flavor of bacon, sausage and ham all at the same time.

You see, there are those who swear by all that’s new (right – like farm to table is something new!) and scorn the tried and true traditions.  However, I think that diner for sale is still a great opportunity and here’s why.

We live in world dominated by high tech and low touch.  One study pegs the amount of information Americans consume at 12 hours a day, corresponding to 100,500 words and 34 gigabytes for an average person on an average day Even as a plugged in restaurant broker, I still think there are times we are not interested in all that information weighing on us, pinging us, emailing us, texting us and reminding us of all that’s happening in the world.  That little diner for sale on the corner is a place where time stands still and humans still connect in the old fashioned way – where talking instead of texting takes place.  The waitress warming up your coffee across the bar or at the table pauses to actually talk and typically isn't a pierced Gen X'er but instead is a baby boomer who owns the business. 

The second reason I think a diner for sale is a great opportunity is the chance to work the short hours associated with breakfast and lunch and forget the rest of it.  Most of the diners for sale open at 6 am and close after lunch (around 2:00).  That is the sweetest set of hours anyone in the restaurant business could hope for.  Those operating a diner know that early to bed and early to rise lengthens their lives and leaves them time to actually live it once they are off for the day.  That’s pretty different from a typical restaurant owner who may be “on call” for up to 12 to 14 hours a day even if he’s not on site.

The last reason I think diners for sale are still a great business to buy is the income.  Yes, multiple studies now prove what these diner operators have known for years – breakfast is the most profitable day part.  That old saying that the “early bird gets the worm” is on target when thinking about a diner for sale.  Low overhead is almost assured since it appears nothing changed in most of them for more than a decade.  Low operating costs in the form of staff and low food costs from inexpensive ingredients all combine to make them a pretty profitable opportunity.  Even finding staff is pretty easy too since the worst someone can do is fail to deliver an over-easy versus a scrambled egg. 

That’s it.  This restaurant broker is now convinced.  My new diner for sale is an excellent listing with great potential.  Now I’m searching for a restaurant buyer who wants to move into a community and make a real difference by humanizing the dining experience, working short hours and earning good money.  I’m in.  How about you?  Are you ready to take a look at my diner for sale?

Restaurants for Sale

 

LIKE this article?  Please SHARE it on Facebook, Linked In or Twitter

Want to see my restaurants for sale? Click the Image on the Left.






1How Much Information? 2009 Report on American Consumers f Publication: December 2009
Last Update: January 2010, Authored by: Roger E. Bohn, James E. Short

Topics: Restaurant Brokers

New call-to-action