Restaurants
Selling a restaurant?
Cash control, lease terms, and labor stability matter more than revenue. Multiples are tight.
Typical multiple range
1.8–2.5× SDE
Recent comps in independent and small-chain restaurants. Liquor license, real estate, and franchise rights are valued separately.
Exit On My Own provides a comparative analysis based on public comparable sales and industry multiples. This is not a certified business appraisal or valuation. Consult a licensed appraiser before relying on any number for tax, legal, or financing decisions.
What's different about selling a restaurants business
Buyers want to see cash control
Due diligence will compare your P&L to your tax returns to your bank records — all three have to match. POS reports that reconcile to bank deposits, tip declarations, and consistent food-cost ratios. A clean trail beats a higher revenue number you can't prove.
Liquor license value is separate
In most states the license is not assignable as part of a normal business sale — it transfers via its own process and is often worth tens of thousands of dollars. Don't bundle it into the business price; let's discuss the specifics for your state.
Labor and turnover are real risk
If your kitchen lead has been there 10 years, that's an asset. If you've burned through three GMs this year, expect a discount, a long training period — or a walk-away from buyers, unless the buyer is willing to step in as GM or chef themselves.
See what your restaurants business is worth.
A comparative analysis grounded in recent comps from your industry and size band.
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