At We Sell Restaurants, we believe in bringing clarity and confidence to every transaction—whether you're buying, selling, or building your future in restaurant brokerage. On our latest “Deals Revealed” episode, we covered industry trends, new listings, sold restaurants, and success stories from across the nation. Here’s a full recap of the insights we shared live.

Market Insights: Wingstop Soars, New Openings Surge

Wingstop made headlines with a nearly 29% stock surge in Q2 2025, fueled by $174.3 million in revenue—a 12% year-over-year gain. Despite challenges across the industry, same-store sales only dipped 1.9%. This growth is driven by smart investments in AI-powered “smart kitchens,” now rolled out to more than 1,000 locations. The result? Lower costs, higher efficiency, and improved consistency.

Meanwhile, new restaurant openings are booming. In just one week:

• Chicago welcomed 15 new establishments, including a dumpling shop in Lincoln Square and the now-viral “Jurassic Grill” experience (already up for sale).

• Boston added eight new restaurants, including an 18-course tasting concept in Back Bay and a Korean-American bakery in Cambridge.

Operators are moving fast. Diners want novelty. Smart money is flowing into experiential and chef-driven concepts—signs of confidence and momentum in the marketplace.

New Listings on the Market

Three listings stood out this week for their strategic positioning and turnkey readiness:

Listing #26599 – Modern Asian Restaurant with Liquor License
Presented by Allison Gregory
Located in a busy retail area, this Asian restaurant offers a fully equipped commercial kitchen, modern design, and a liquor license—making it ideal for sushi, Thai, or fusion cuisine. Surrounded by retail and residential development, it sees strong dine-in and takeout traffic.

Listing #26335 – Breakfast & Lunch Spot with Loyal Base
Presented by Damian Santoro
This fast-paced breakfast and lunch concept features a fully equipped kitchen and high-volume potential. Situated near office parks and neighborhoods, it combines strong curb appeal with built-in demand and operational efficiency.

Listing #25979 – Turnkey Pizza Shop with Growth Potential
Presented by Ernie and Lori Kurtock
This pizza shop features dine-in, delivery, and carryout service with double stack ovens, a walk-in cooler, and all essential equipment. Clean, visible, and affordable—this is a smart entry into a timeless restaurant category.

Seller Strategy: Why Timing Matters

Did you know 50,000 restaurants open in the U.S. each year? That’s over 600 per week. Waiting to list your restaurant could mean facing stiffer competition from newly opened, well-funded concepts.

Roughly 70% of U.S. restaurants are independently owned, which means most sellers—like you—aren’t part of a corporate group. That’s a strength, but it requires a strong positioning strategy. Your buyer wants more than just your recipes. They want your lease terms, loyal base, proven revenue, and operational systems.

Listing early and preparing thoroughly puts you ahead of the pack. If you’re even considering selling, start now.

Buyer Advice: Follow the Data

Buyers, take note. Trends are shifting how and where customers want to dine:

• 75% of consumers prefer off-premises dining—drive-thru, takeout, and pickup are here to stay.

• 51% use restaurant apps to score deals and rewards.

• 35% of restaurant owners say tech reduced their operating costs.

• 77% say it made work less stressful for their teams.

Look for listings with off-premise infrastructure and digital potential. Tech is no longer optional—it’s a profit driver. Evaluate not just what a restaurant is today, but what it could be with the right upgrades.

Sold Listings: What Closed and Why

We also highlighted three recent sales that reflect today’s buyer priorities:

Listing #23655 – 37-Year-Old Burrito Takeout Concept
Broker: Bobby Pangilinan
With nearly four decades of brand equity, streamlined operations, and a loyal customer base, this low-overhead model was a perfect fit for buyers seeking simplicity and reliability. It sold quickly.

Listing #11738 – $1 Million Owner Benefit Powerhouse
Broker: Justin Scotto
This high-volume restaurant with low rent, strong systems, and clean books drew multiple offers. Smart financials and scale-ready operations led to a fast closing.

Listing #19315 – Two Subway Franchises in Pennsylvania
Brokers: Steve & Cyndi Weinbaum
These units had consistent sales and staffing, with solid leases and national brand support. Franchise buyers recognized immediate value and scalability—resulting in a swift sale.

Hot New Listings Just Launched

Here are three exciting new listings ready for the right buyer:

Listing #27695 – Drive-Thru Bar with Fast Launch Potential
Broker: Tamara Hamilton
Located in a high-traffic area, this compact drive-thru setup is ideal for frozen drinks, cocktail kits, or coffee. Minimal buildout. Low labor. High-margin opportunity.

Listing #27472 – Takeout-Ready Restaurant in South Carolina
Broker: Justin Scotto
With a 10-foot hood, walk-in, and prime Simpsonville location near Greenville, this listing offers clean design and fast service flow. Rebrand it to suit your concept.

Listing #27164 – Profitable Franchise in Murfreesboro, TN
Broker: Taylor Clemmer
$460,000 in annual revenue with nearly $50,000 owner benefit. Small footprint, part-time staff, strong brand recognition—perfect for semi-absentee or hands-on operators.

Real Client Testimonials

At the heart of our work are the people we serve. These testimonials remind us of the impact our brokers have on lives and livelihoods:

Sherry Keegan on Tony Miceli (Kansas City):
"Tony went above and beyond my expectations in all aspects! Selling a business is a huge decision, but Tony's knowledge and experience made the process essentially seamless and stress-free. All of my questions and concerns — from preparing for listing through to the day of closing — were addressed timely and completely. Tony and his team are absolutely 'top shelf'! Listing with We Sell Restaurants Kansas City was definitely one of the best business decisions I ever made!"

Michelle on Mike Smith (Phoenix):
"From the very first conversation to the final closing, Mike made this process extremely smooth — not just for me as the buyer, but also for the sellers and the franchise system that was involved. An extremely quick and smooth process is very appreciated, but Mike also went above and beyond to ensure we were confident and aligned each step of the way. Although it was our first transaction with Mike, I know we’ll be working together for future opportunities. Thanks, Smitty!"

Christian Mayes on Emily & Bernie Bastian (Charleston):
"Look no further. For one, they put you first by learning about your needs and plans. After gathering that info, they help you execute a plan and walk you through every step. No hidden fees. No surprises. The communication and execution were top tier. Emily and Bernie definitely get the job done THE RIGHT WAY! I highly recommend them. The process was seamless. We closed in 30 days."

Franchise Opportunities: Believe in the Brand

As Robin shared on the live broadcast, “Belief is contagious. So is doubt.” The most successful We Sell Restaurants franchisees come from hospitality, sales, or operations—not brokerage. What they share is a belief in themselves and in the value they bring.

We offer:

• Proven systems

• National brand support

• Deal coaching and marketing

• A path to control your future

Explore more at wesellrestaurants.com/franchise.

Franchise Resale Support for Brands

We Sell Restaurants is also partnering with national brands to structure and streamline their franchise resale processes. By offering consistent, brand-aligned transitions, we help protect unit economics, reduce development team pressure, and support franchisee exits with care and professionalism.

Franchise leaders can learn more at wesellrestaurants.com under the “For Franchisors” section.

Want to Buy, Sell, or Explore Restaurant Brokerage?
Visit WeSellRestaurants.com to view listings, connect with a Certified Restaurant Broker, or start a conversation about your goals.

Let’s get you to the closing table—with confidence.