Is Restaurant Brokerage Right for You? Selling the American Dream

5 Min Read or 90 Sec Video

The American Dream has long been defined by the pursuit of ownership—of a home, a business, or a future filled with independence and opportunity. Small business ownership, the purchase of an existing restaurant, represents a pathway to that dream, offering the chance to step into an established location with proven systems for success. But behind every small business, of which there are more than 31 million in America, lies a story of determination, grit, and persistence —stories of those seeking their own version of the American Dream.

As Certified Restaurant Brokers® at We Sell Restaurants, we don’t just facilitate success stories—we create them, both for our clients and even for ourselves. After all, we’re small business owners too. Our business is helping everyone, from seasoned franchisees to first-time buyers, identify, evaluate, and ultimately buy the right opportunity for their family. For sellers, we facilitate their dreams of an exit strategy and a payoff for their many years of hard work. We treat both those roles with great respect and know that we deal in far more than transactions. We assist in the journey that keeps the dream of business ownership alive.

These are the stunning real statistics associated with small businesses, directly from the Small Business Administration’s website as of June, 2023.

• 99.9% of American Business are classified as small businesses.
• There are more than 33 million small businesses in the United States.
• Small businesses employ 61.7 million Americans, totaling 46.4% of private sector employees.
• From 1995 to 2021, small businesses created 17.3 million net new jobs, accounting for 62.7% of net jobs created since 1995.

As Restaurant Brokers, every restaurant we sell embodies the American Dream. That’s why, when asked what we do, we proudly say: we sell the American Dream. Our goal is to guide everyone in the deal throughout the journey—connecting the right buyers with a seller’s vision, ensuring smooth transitions, and preserving legacies. Every step we take strengthens the future of small business ownership in America. Here’s how we make it happen.

Behind Every Sale Every restaurant sale is a story of transformation. These transitions are not just about changing ownership but about new beginnings for both the buyer and seller:

For the Seller: Many sellers are seasoned veterans in the restaurant business that are ready to retire, pivot to new opportunities, or focus on other ventures. Selling their business allows them to pass the torch while reaping the rewards of their hard work.

For the Buyer: For buyers, purchasing a restaurant is a chance to achieve financial independence and personal success. Buyers are often driven by the desire to own a restaurant with proven systems and years of historical performance. They appreciate stepping into an established store while bringing fresh energy and ideas. Many have fond memories of working in the restaurant business since the National Restaurant Association reports that almost six in ten adults have worked in the industry at some point in their life.

Why someone is exiting the business is a critical question asked by nearly every buyer. It is one of the first questions we have for sellers, in order to understand their journey. These stories of transfers are navigated with expertise, and we are frequently representing both parties due to our intense knowledge. Our role is to turn these transitions into success stories and ensure the process is seamless, resulting in a win for everyone involved. From the outset, when we conduct comprehensive valuations to the closing table, whether it’s lending, marketing strategies, landlord negotiations and more, we working toward success for all parties.

Matching the Right Buyers to the Opportunity

Every successful sale begins with finding the right buyer—someone whose goals, skills, and resources align with the seller’s vision. This alignment is crucial for several reasons:

Protecting the Seller’s Legacy: The restaurant business is highly personal with relationships forged over many years. The right buyer ensures that the seller’s reputation for quality and customer experience remains intact.

Securing Long-Term Success: Buyers with the necessary financial and operational qualifications are more likely to thrive, contributing to the health and growth of the location.

At We Sell Restaurants, our buyer screening process works to find an ideal match taking the seller’s requirements into consideration. We start with unmatched outreach for any buyer that expresses interest with multiple touchpoints by phone, text, email, and more. Our Certified Restaurant Brokers are personable, available, and conversational with potential buyers. At the same time, we are conducting:

In-Depth Qualification: We evaluate buyers’ financial capacity, operational expertise, and make recommendations based on the best listings in the market. If we don’t have a matching opportunity, we will search other broker’s listings.

Targeted Marketing: Our marketing strategies focus on reaching buyers who are genuinely interested in the restaurant industry and capable of succeeding within an established location.

This tailored approach guarantees that each buyer is not only prepared for ownership but also equipped to drive growth and uphold standards set by the seller in his years of operation.

Supporting Smooth Transitions

The transition period is a critical phase that determines the long-term success of the transaction. Ensuring operational continuity and protecting relationships during this time is essential. Key focus areas include:

• Operational Continuity: The transition should be as seamless as possible, ensuring that customers experience no disruption in service or quality. Our checklists and systems confirm that nothing is overlooked in the transfer process and we keep deals on track with weekly deal calls.
• Preserving Customer Loyalty: Maintaining consistency helps retain loyal customers and builds confidence in the new ownership. We as the seller to make recommendation to support the transition with marketing.
• Team Morale: Employees are integral to the success of the unit. Supporting them during ownership changes ensures stability and reduces turnover. We have recommendations for how and when employees, including key employees, should be made aware of the pending sale.

We Sell Restaurants is committed to facilitating smooth transitions. That frequently includes:

• Drafting Purchase Agreements: Buyers and sellers must be on the same page for a deal to be successful and this includes every deal term including, prorations, handling of inventory, landlord lease assignments, lending timelines, due diligence timelines, and more. We draft a standard document that covers all deal terms, so there is total understanding between all parties of their roles and responsibilities in the transaction.
• Comprehensive Lending Resources: We coordinate with preferred lenders that have experience and access to capital for funding new buyers. That ranges from SBA lenders who offer approvals within tight time frames to unsecured lenders who offer a line of credit up to $250,000 on a signature. Funding is critical to set buyers up with working capital to succeed from day one.
• Effective Legal Counsel: Acting as a liaison between buyers and sellers is the role of the Certified Restaurant Broker® but legal questions should be answered by counsel. We Sell Restaurants has transaction attorneys that work on closings and can provide responses to common questions that surface in your pursuit of the American Dream.

These efforts protect the relationships between the parties as the path to ownership is pursued and sets the stage for a successful closing.

The Behind-the-Scenes Work That Keeps the American Dream Moving Forward

The success of the transaction depends on the often invisible work that goes into each transaction. This includes:

• Strategic Collaboration: Working closely with all parties, buyer, seller, landlord, franchisor, attorneys, and more to align expectations for closing the deal.
• Legal and Financial Management: Handling the complexities of agreements, licensing, and financing ensures that all aspects of the sale are managed efficiently.
• Logistical Coordination: From inspections to closing, we oversee every detail to ensure a smooth process.

Our work has led to countless success stories, for restaurant sellers from coast to coast. We’ve helped countless buyers realize their own version of the American Dream. These success stories reflect the dedication and expertise we bring to every transaction.

Selling the American Dream requires more than just listing a restaurant for sale. It’s about understanding the underlying stories, aspirations, and goals of buyers and sellers. Rarely are deals a straight path to ownership, instead there are frequently challenges that require expertise. Ultimately, however, the role of Certified Restaurant Broker is to ensure smooth transitions, building a brighter future for all small business owners. At We Sell Restaurants, we’re proud to be a part of these journeys, helping to keep the dream of ownership alive and thriving.

If you’re a restaurant owner or buyer looking to navigate the complexities of dealmaking, we’re here to help.

Contact us today to learn how our expertise can turn transitions into success stories.

If you are reading this article and seeking your own path to business ownership, consider joining We Sell Restaurants as a franchisee and building your own future in the restaurant brokerage industry. As a Certified Restaurant Broker®, you won’t just help others achieve the American Dream—you’ll be living it yourself. With our proven systems, industry expertise, and national brand recognition, you’ll have everything you need to succeed in a business that changes lives. Take control of your future, make an impact, and start your journey toward entrepreneurship today. Contact us to learn more about franchise opportunities with We Sell Restaurants