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Good Management Beats A Good Location When Buying A Restaurant
Good Management Beats A Good Location When Buying A Restaurant
People who know me know my opinion about what it takes to be successful in the restaurant business- and it's not just a good location. What makes a difference time and time again is the difference in management. Good management is the key to success. Every time you hear its Location Location Location, I say it's Execution Execution Execution!
Look over my list of "done deals" over the past 23 years and you will notice that many are no longer in business.
Some have been sold as many as four times. But eventually, with good management, the same location that was once a loser has been turned into a winner by good management.
Nowhere is this truer than with the Charley Brown's chain. These restaurants flourished for many years but are now all gone in the Bay area. There are many reasons for their demise, but location is not one of them. Their locations were always terrific and are still terrific even though Charley Brown's is no longer in business in the San Francisco Bay area.
The best location is the right location. You have to take into account the characteristics of the concept and match them up to the characteristics of the location. Different concepts have different location needs and different affordability.
When I'm trying to help someone find a site, buy a restaurant for sale, or sell their restaurant, I try to use all of my experience in the restaurant business so that the right decisions are made. The same location can be absolutely perfect for one concept and absolutely wrong for another concept.
I have had many of my clients for 10 to 15 years or more. These long term relationships mean a lot to me and I am rewarded with a good deal of inside information that I can use to help them and others make the right real estate decisions.
The restaurant business is difficult to say the least. But it is an exciting business, and an ever changing business. And, it can be a very profitable business.
About The Author: Jeff Back is the founder of J. Back & Associates Restaurant Real Estate. - specializing exclusively in buying, selling and developing restaurants, bars and nightclubs. View more information about Jeff Back at J. Back & Associates & his listings or phone him direct at 925-736-8200 about selling or buying a restaurant in Northern California.
Categories: BizBen Blog Contributor, Buying A Business, How To Buy A Business
Comments Regarding This Blog Post
I think it's also true that an owner/operator must also have a love of people or at least good customer service skills. I have had clients where I have steered them away from certain businesses, because I knew it would not be a good match.
I had a client who was interested in a dance clothing store near the coast, but later changed her mind and wanted a bar/dance hall about an hour and thirty minutes inland. I told the client that I felt it would not be a good match for her, even though I probably could have sold it to her, and made a higher commission, but it breaks my heart to have to relist something six months after a client buys something (at a 40-50K loss, because of insufficient books).
Bars, liquor stores, restaurants, and coffee shops really demand that the owner really enjoy being there and connect with the customers, because the temperament of the owner sets the mood for all other management and employees underneath.
I had a client who was interested in a dance clothing store near the coast, but later changed her mind and wanted a bar/dance hall about an hour and thirty minutes inland. I told the client that I felt it would not be a good match for her, even though I probably could have sold it to her, and made a higher commission, but it breaks my heart to have to relist something six months after a client buys something (at a 40-50K loss, because of insufficient books).
Bars, liquor stores, restaurants, and coffee shops really demand that the owner really enjoy being there and connect with the customers, because the temperament of the owner sets the mood for all other management and employees underneath.
| Helpful Resources To Assist In Selling And Buying California Businesses |
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Steve Zimmerman: Restaurant Broker Specialist Steve founded Restaurant Realty in 1996. He has personally sold/leased over 900 restaurants, bars & clubs, & completed over 3000 valuations. The author of "Restaurant Dealmaker - An Insider's Trade Secrets For Buying a Restaurant, Bar or Club" available on Amazon. Reach Steve direct at 415-945-9701. |
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Peter Siegel, MBA - SBA Loans, Non SBA Financing Assistance For over 25 years I have provided niche business purchase financial advisory and loan placement services with SBA and Non-SBA Loans, Retirement Plan Conversions, Private Investors, etc. Financing amounts available: $20K to $7MM. Call today to get pre-qualified or receive financing: 866-270-6278. |
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Jeff Back, Broker: Restaurant Specialist - SF Bay Area J. Back & Associates Restaurant Real Estate was founded in 1988 as the first bay area real estate company to specialize exclusively in restaurant real estate. I am the past President of Charley Browns restaurants and have been involved in the restaurant business for over 35 years. 925-736-8200. |
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Prabhjot Randhawa, Broker: SF Bay Area, Northern Central Valley I'm a Business Advisor at Liberty Business Advisors of San Fransisco. I have over 20 years of experience in all phases of entrepreneurship. During the past 15 years my concentration has been in business of mergers and consulting. I have owned and operated over 10 businesses. |
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Jim Saxton, Liquor License Broker & Consultant - SF Bay Area With over 20 years experience of local governmental requirements, such as Police Departments, Zoning / Planning Departments, and ABC District Offices, my company Liquor Licenses of San Francisco Bay Area is very qualified to resolve all of your concerns during the liquor license transfer process. |
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Matt Sadati, Business Broker, SF Bay Area, Northern CA I have Engineering and Law, JD degree, with over 30 years of experience in all phases of entrepreneurship. During the past 15 years my concentration has been in business of mergers and consulting. I have owned and operated over 33 businesses each having one to 30 branches. |
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Jeff Sacher, Business Broker - North Bay Restaurant, Retail Specialist Jeff is a leader in business brokering in the North Bay. Since joining Santa Rosa Business And Commercial in 1999 he has assisted Buyers and Sellers in over 200 business sales and acquisitions. Jeff provides other services for his clients as well. Reach Jeff and his team at 707-888-4972. |
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Timothy Cunha, JD - Business Broker, SF Bay Area I am an experienced entrepreneur, attorney, & business professor. I & my EvergreenGold® team offer business owners sound advice & expertise to build business value & achieve profitable sales. Call me today for a FREE business evaluation & SWOT analysis for your business anywhere in the USA. |
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Liquor License Assistance - SF Bay Area - Jim Saxton
Jim Saxton - 20 years experience of local governmental requirements, such as Police Departments, Zoning / Planning Departments, ABC District Offices, my company Liquor Licenses of SF Bay Area is very qualified to resolve all of your concerns during the liquor license transfer process. 925-787-0770. |
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