Whether you are one of the thousands of Americans who’s determined to buy a restaurant or the millions looking to lose those unwanted pounds, it occurs to me as a restaurant broker, that the journey may be somewhat similar.  Here are my thoughts on how buying a restaurant is like losing weight.

Take a look at one of the nation’s highest rated shows, The Biggest Loser.  This network show has everyone believing they too, can melt the fat away and between this Tuesday night and next, those ten or fifteen pounds you are looking to shed will fall off too.  Similarly, Food Network’s celebrity chefs shows and focus on everything foodie may set off your hunger for buying a restaurant that doesn’t always translate from the big screen to real life between this week and last week’s segment.

In the case of The Biggest Loser, those looking to lose weight are surrounded by a team helping them focus on their success.  They have nutritionists, diet plans and fitness coaches that are guiding every bite they eat and every move they make.  With this much discipline, and so much weight to lose, it’s easy to see the pounds come down in just a week.  If you’re buying a restaurant, a restaurant broker fills that role.  He or she can assess your needs, introduce disciple to your search and present you with a path that leads to restaurant ownership.  That’s very different from attempting it on your own by clicking on the latest link in your inbox for the Saffron Tea Diet or buying into the middle of the night cable TV infomercial for P90X or Insanity and betting on the results.  A restaurant broker is your real life guide to buying a restaurant to answer your questions, lead your way and help you get results.  Just like those trainers on TV, a tough broker will challenge you, train you and teach you along the way and sometimes it's a love/hate relationship but without them, you won't get the results you are looking for.    

Weight loss is measured in pounds and the path to buying a restaurant is measured in inches.  But both are a numbers game where it takes time to see results.  It’s rare to find exactly what you’re looking for out of the gate just as it’s impossible to see the weight change overnight simply because you got rid of your late night ice cream snack or added in a work out session versus settling on the coach.  If you’re buying a restaurant, it’s better to be patient and wait for the right opportunity if you want the right long term solution.  Think about those short term weight loss gimmicks where the pounds will come back, (plus some!) when you try to shortcut the process.  Patience is highly recommended.

It’s not easy to lose weight and the same can be said of buying a restaurant.  As a buyer, you have to want it more than anyone else if you’re going to realize your dream.  There will be challenges in finding funding, getting a deal constructed and oh so many small issues along the way before you finally have the keys.  Just like losing weight, there will be days things are going well and others when you want to throw the scale out the window. If you’re losing weight it’s the same story.  You have to be willing to work in the gym or lower your calorie intake or both to see results. It takes persistence and focus on the end game to see your results pay off but when you finally get the keys (or slide into that size 4 dress!), it’s all worth it!

All in all, I think buying a restaurant is a lot like losing weight.  There’s no magic pill and it’s a process but in the end, the results are worth it.

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