At We Sell Restaurants, we don’t just talk about the restaurant industry—we live it. In this week’s edition of “Deals Revealed,” Robin Gagnon and Rob Morrison covered everything from market-shaping headlines to hot new listings, recent sold successes, and insights for buyers, sellers, and franchise partners.
Here’s the full recap of what’s happening in restaurant brokerage across the nation.
Restaurant Industry Insights: Trends Reshaping the Market
The future of food service is shifting fast. Subway unveiled its first fully automated location, eliminating staff entirely through robotic sandwich assembly—a bold leap toward automation. Chipotle, on the other hand, saw a 38% surge in digital orders thanks to app-exclusive offers and loyalty rewards.
Meanwhile, Whataburger is expanding outside of Texas with more than 50 new stores in 2025, testing a smaller format to reach tighter urban markets. Sweetgreen is joining the automation movement by introducing robotic makelines in every new store starting in Q4, improving portion control and speed.
Ghost kitchens continue their rise as a powerful solution for operators. Through our strategic partnership with CloudKitchens, We Sell Restaurants offers access to turn-key delivery-only locations nationwide. These units are ideal for franchisees awaiting build-outs, helping brands train staff, launch early, and alleviate pressure on dine-in operations. Just like Starbucks, which uses these kitchens for 100% of their delivery volume, this model is proving effective and scalable.
Fine dining isn’t taking a back seat either. New York’s Eleven Madison Park is offering a $425 plant-based tasting menu—now the most expensive vegan meal in the U.S.—and it’s selling out. Premium experiences still have demand.
On the QSR side, Wendy’s is rolling out AI-powered voice drive-thrus with Google Cloud to over 1,000 stores, citing increased speed and fewer order errors. Panera Bread is reintroducing its $9.99/month unlimited beverage subscription to boost traffic and loyalty.
The National Restaurant Association recently revised its 2025 forecast upward, predicting $1.1 trillion in total restaurant sales—an 8% year-over-year increase. Confidence is up, and at We Sell Restaurants, we’re seeing that translate into faster-moving listings, stronger offers, and buyer urgency, especially in high-margin categories like coffee, dessert, and drive-thru models.
Featured Listings: Opportunities You Don’t Want to Miss
Listing #27345 – Cabarrus County, NC
Listed by Justin Scotto, this restaurant delivers $579,000 in owner benefit. With SBA lending available and a fully equipped kitchen, it’s a turn-key operation perfect for experienced operators or growth-minded buyers.
Listing #27057 – Bar & Restaurant
Tabby Hemphill presents this $1M revenue operation with $125,000 in annual profit. Established, inviting, and loaded with potential for events and expanded hours, this listing stands out for buyers seeking strong social engagement and multiple revenue streams.
Listing #27029 – Pizza Restaurant
A brand-new location listed by Travis Kuehl already hitting $550,000 in first-year sales. The build-out is done, equipment is new, and awareness is strong. A no-hassle path to ownership.
Seller Insights: Why the Time to List is Now
While BizBuySell reported a 16% drop in restaurant acquisitions for Q2 2025, We Sell Restaurants saw the opposite. We were up 15.5% in closed transactions—a 31.5-point swing from market averages.
What’s driving our success? A national buyer network, Certified Restaurant Brokers®, and a proven process.
Waiting to sell in a tightening market reduces leverage and lengthens timelines. Sellers still have opportunities, but expert guidance makes all the difference. Now is the time to act—and our results prove it.
Buyer Insights: What’s Moving Fast?
Fast casual concepts, sandwich shops, and listings with second-generation buildouts are moving quickly. Buyers are prioritizing low overhead, clean financials, and transferrable leases. These restaurants allow new owners to skip construction delays and start serving right away.
Recently Sold: Real Success Stories
Listing #16593 – Mexican Restaurant
Sold by Gary and Mike Elle. With $250,000 in owner benefit, this high-performing business drew multiple offers and closed quickly. A win-win for both seller and buyer.
Listing #24642 – Franchise Café in Orlando, FL
Sold by Debra and Samantha Sawyer. The seller needed a fast exit, and our team delivered. The buyer now operates a branded concept with support and national visibility.
Listing #18921 – Charlotte, NC
Sold by Justin Scotto. This flexible space allowed the buyer to rebrand or continue the concept, thanks to its prime location and full kitchen. It closed fast and is already writing its next chapter.
New Listings: Just Hit the Market
Listing #27316 – Semi-Absentee Italian Restaurant
Listed by Hannah Eisenband Neuman, this upscale concept generates $231,000 in profit and operates semi-absentee. Ideal for investors or operators seeking balance.
Listing #27369 – Restaurant with Real Estate in Blairsville, GA
Listed by Robert Klaus. Buy the business and the property—an unbeatable long-term play with built-in equity.
Listing #27401 – Franchise Sandwich Shop
Listed by Robin Gagnon. With $775,000 in annual sales, this turn-key opportunity is great for both first-time buyers and multi-unit operators.
Client Testimonials: The Results Speak for Themselves
Kelly Noles – Clermont, Florida
“We had the best experience using We Sell Restaurants as our broker. The team made regular updates and sold our restaurant in a timely manner. Professionals all the way around.”
Cristobal Barberis – Naples, Florida
“Excellent experience with We Sell Restaurants. The process was smooth and professional. Dave Whitcomb did an impressive job maintaining the commitment that is necessary in these kinds of agreements with complex deals and requirements due to the nature of the business. I would not hesitate to work again with We Sell Restaurants.”
David Hargett – Northwest Georgia
“It’s not often that things go as planned the first time around. However, Paul Rodgers with We Sell Restaurants exceeded my expectation. His understanding of what my needs were, coupled with what the market was dictating, helped me make a more informed decision about my situation. I highly recommend Paul if you are looking for a broker that is professional and provides outstanding feedback.”
The Franchise Opportunity: Join the Nation’s Leading Brand
If you love restaurants but want a lifestyle change, our franchise model offers the best of both worlds. With banker’s hours, a proven process, and partnerships with national brands like Hungry Howie’s, becoming a We Sell Restaurants franchisee means building a business with real impact.
We’re helping major franchisors create resale solutions that support their operators and maintain brand continuity. If you’re a brand leader or future broker, now’s the time to explore our franchise model at WeSellRestaurants.com/franchise.
Let’s Talk About Your Next Move
Whether you’re buying, selling, or considering a new career in restaurant brokerage, the team at We Sell Restaurants is ready to help. Our name says it all—and our results prove it.
Visit WeSellRestaurants.com to see the latest listings, success stories, and franchise opportunities. We’ll be back next week with more insights and updates.