The latest restaurant sales data has been released by BizBuySell (BBS) in their latest Quarterly Insights Report is in and the numbers tell show a deep divide between the restaurant specialists, We Sell Restaurants and the broader restaurant market. On one hand, you see a market slightly backpedaling in early 2025, feeling the weight of macroeconomic pressure and fluctuating consumer sentiment and handled by traditional business brokers. These brokers are handling everything from dry cleaners to day cares. On the other hand is a powerful surge forward, led by the team at We Sell Restaurants, where strategic focus and systemwide execution delivered a standout performance against industry headwinds.

According to BizBuySell’s Q1 2025 Insight Report, restaurant transactions declined 4% year-over-year when compared to Q1 2024. In stark contrast, We Sell Restaurants recorded a remarkable 67% year-over-year increase in sold restaurant units during the same period. Their data is published based on sold transactions posted within their systems by brokers.

CEO Robin Gagnon said of the performance, “This gap isn't just notable, it’s historic. At a time when uncertainty reigned across the restaurant sector, We Sell Restaurants charged forward, executing more successful closings, at higher pricing and faster rate than our peers in the general business brokerage space.”

What is fueling the dramatic difference? President of We Sell Restaurants, Eric Gagnon says, “Specialization is not just our niche, it’s our super-power. It gives us the ultimate edge in working to negotiate deal terms, deliver on lending, and get deals to the closing table.” The differences are broken out in this article.

Market Pullback: BizBuySell Shows Shrinking Volumes and Softer Prices

While Q1 2024 gave early signs of recovery for the market, especially in food service, Q1 2025 cooled slightly-especially for independent restaurant transactions. BizBuySell’s data revealed a -4% drop in overall restaurant sales volume, suggesting buyers may be cautiously re-evaluating opportunities or reacting to tightening interest rates, which decreases available capital for acquisitions.

At the same time, the reported median sale price of restaurants across BizBuySell’s national platform slipped 20%, dropping from $250,000 in Q1 2024 to just $200,000 in Q1 2025. It’s a sharp correction in value, one that likely reflects two key challenges:

1. Inventory mix: A higher volume of underperforming or lower-tier assets coming to market.
2. Financing constraints: Buyers adjusting offers to account for more expensive or harder-to-access lending.
   
   

Additionally, the average days on market (DOM) for sold restaurants on the platform increased 13%. Days measured between the time of listing and time of closing grew from 182 days in Q1 2024 to 205 days in Q1 2025. This longer time to close is often a telltale sign of market hesitation, gaps in pricing expectations, or tighter deal structures.

In short, the average seller in today’s marketplace is waiting longer to sell and likely walking away with less when working with general business brokers.

Our Story Is Different: 67% Growth and Higher Performance

While the overall industry paused, our business accelerated. At We Sell Restaurants, our transaction volume climbed 67% in Q1 2025 over the same quarter last year, far outpacing the market and exceeding even our own aggressive growth benchmarks.

This didn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of a disciplined focus on quality listings, skilled dealmaking, and an elite team of Certified Restaurant Brokers™ trained to guide both buyers and sellers with precision and integrity.

Our system and brokers consistently vet listing data to confirm they are priced correctly, presented with full financial transparency, and matched with qualified, motivated buyers. That is one reason why, even as BBS’s median sales price fell by 20%, we saw an 23.2% increase in our own median sales price. That’s not reflective of growth, it encompasses premium performance. Thus, in a world where values are dropping with other brokers, our sellers are netting higher returns.

That is a testament to the strength of the We Sell Restaurants processes, honed through our 20 year business model, the depth of our buyer network, and the enduring demand for quality restaurant for sale listings, presented correctly.

Closing Faster: Time-to-Sale Improves at We Sell Restaurants

Not only are we selling more restaurants at higher values at We Sell Restaurants, the brand is also doing this faster.

While BizBuySell reported an increase in average days on market (from 182 days to 205 days-a 12.6% jump), We Sell Restaurants saw the opposite trend. Our average days on market fell 4.3%.

Time-to-sale is a critical metric for any seller evaluating their broker. Every additional day a restaurant sits on the market adds cost, stress, and uncertainty. That is why we prioritize speed without compromising quality.

Our franchisees use proprietary marketing technology, rigorous buyer screening, and real-time data analysis to move listings quickly through the funnel. This efficiency allows us to close stronger, faster, and more often-especially in a market where delays are becoming the norm.

Top Listings Reflect Buyer Trends

The restaurants attracting the most attention in Q1 2025 help tell the rest of the story. Our top-performing listings weren’t just geographically diverse, they also reflected the strategic sweet spots buyers are targeting: affordability, turn-key operations, and strong local demand. Here are the Top 10 listings that showed up across January, February, and March in buyer activity:

1. Orlando Restaurant and Nightclub - $80,000 - High traffic location, low price, and nightlife appeal led to strong engagement.
2. Bakery/Café in Orlando Area - $110,000 - Turnkey setup in a tourist-heavy zone made this a top listing month over month.
3. Orlando Restaurant with 2COP License - $40,000 - Affordability and alcohol sales capability were a winning combo.
4. Turnkey Café in Matthews, NC - $49,000 - A prime price point and ready-to-operate café in a growing suburb.
5. Pizza Restaurant in Austin, Texas - Popular cuisine and prime location made this listing stand out.
6. Turnkey Restaurant or Sports Bar in Chandler, AZ - Flexible use and a loyal clientele drew heavy buyer interest.
7. Charlotte Pizza Franchise - Established and Profitable - Franchise backing and solid earnings drew serious attention.
8. Turnkey Pizza Restaurant in Orlando Suburb with 2COP - Suburban demand and ready licensing helped seal its status.
9. Charlotte Restaurant - Move-In Ready & Fully Equipped - Turnkey operation meant buyers could hit the ground running.
10. Turnkey Bakery and Café in Prime Orlando Tourist Area - Brand presence and foot traffic made this a consistent top performer.
    
    

Each of these listings tells a story of buyer behavior. These listings reflect where affordability, efficiency, and a low barrier to entry drive decision-making. When priced right and marketed through our high-visibility channels, restaurants are moving.

Interpreting the Divide: Why We Sell Restaurants Is Winning

The gulf between our performance and the broader market is widening, and it's important to understand why. Here are the three key reasons we’re outperforming the field:

1. Hyper-Focus on Restaurants

We are not generalists. We are restaurant experts. While the brokers represented on BizBuySell serve every business category, we are strategically focused and disciplined soley on the food service space. That means our Certified Restaurant Brokers understand every element of the space from restaurant financial statements to lease agreements. They are experience in franchise transfer processes and licensing timelines. They aren’t learning a new business each time they sell a restaurant, they already know this one. This specialized expertise builds trust, shortens negotiations, and delivers better outcomes.

2. Strong Buyer Pipeline

Because we invest heavily in both outbound and inbound marketing, we maintain a ready base of qualified buyers actively pursuing new opportunities. Our database of more than 125,000 buyers that received 12 million emails from us last year are highly engaged and interested in restaurants for sale. We don’t wait for buyers to find our listings; we bring listings to them. That proactive mindset leads to faster closings and higher offers.

3. Nation’s Only Certified Restaurant Brokers

Every We Sell Restaurants franchisee goes through intensive certification and ongoing training. They know how to structure deals, overcome objections, and move transactions across the finish line using our online checklists and system. We provide national and local resources to move deals forward, not bog them down.

The result? A 67% increase in sales when others are slipping behind.

What This Means for Buyers and Sellers in 2025

If you are considering buying or selling a restaurant in 2025, the data sends a clear message: broker selection matters.

The broader marketplace may be slowing, but the right broker delivers a fast, profitable, and stress-free outcome. At We Sell Restaurants, our performance proves that results aren’t just about the market-they’re about the systems. As a franchise brand, those systems are replicated across the entire nation.

For sellers, this is a pivotal time to capture maximum value before interest rate trends shift again. Despite broader market softening, there’s still a strong appetite for well-priced, profitable restaurants. But that window won’t last forever. Pricing and positioning matter now more than ever.

For buyers, the current market presents opportunity-but also risk. Inventory is expanding, and values are more negotiable than in prior years. However, separating the true gems from the rest requires experienced guidance and deep due diligence. That’s why working with a Certified Restaurant Broker is critical.

Looking Ahead: Why We’re Bullish on the Restaurant Industry in 2025

Despite the Q1 softening in overall marketplace activity, we remain optimistic about the restaurant space for the remainder of 2025. Here’s why:

Consumer Demand Is Holding

The latest National Restaurant Association state of the industry report is clear. Dining out continues to rebound, particularly in experiential concepts, quick-service operations, and niche cuisines. Operators who meet evolving consumer expectations-speed, convenience, sustainability, quality are thriving.

Operators Are Adapting

Post-pandemic labor strategies, leaner menus, and smarter tech integrations are boosting profitability across segments. These improvements are making many restaurants more attractive to buyers.

Franchise Growth Is Accelerating

Franchised restaurant models remain a key area of focus, particularly for first-time buyers looking to de-risk entry into the business. We are seeing strong demand across all regions of the country for proven brands with scalable systems.

These tailwinds will continue to drive volume in 2025-and We Sell Restaurants will continue to lead the way.

In a quarter where the rest of the market pulled back, We Sell Restaurants surged forward with strength, speed, and profitability. Our 67% increase in restaurants sold, 23% rise in median sale price, and shorter days on market are more than statistics. These are the measurable proof of a system that works.

As the industry evolves, so does the brand. We stay laser-focused on restaurants, investing in technology and training, and refusing to settle for average.

If you’re a seller looking to maximize your value or a buyer seeking expert guidance, know this: we don’t just report on the numbers, we lead them.