77yr+ Family-Owned American Diner in Eastern Ohio.

Legacy (77 Years) regionally famous East Ohio Family Restaurant on a major byway.

$920,810 Annual Revenue from a 140-Seat Full-Service American Diner Drawing Customers Across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia

Business Description

Seventy-seven years of daily service built a customer base that crosses three state lines. The dining room seats 140 patrons across 2,900 square feet. Sixteen employees handle kitchen and front-of-house operations, many with long tenure at the restaurant. Revenue of $920,810 arrives without advertising spend. The location a quarter mile off a major state route near primary shopping destinations generates consistent foot traffic from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia residents who pass through the trade area regularly.

The menu centers on American-style dishes with a consistent offering. That consistency produces multi-generational repeat visits. Families who ate here decades ago bring their own families today. The kitchen is operational and fully functional. The dining room infrastructure supports 140 covers without capital investment to maintain current output.

Operates in a 2,900 square foot facility sits on a 1.159-acre lot with ample on-site parking.


 Two revenue channels not currently active, breakfast service and seven-day operations, require no facility changes and no additional capital to open.

Ohio food service licenses and permits are current and in good standing. The operational infrastructure, staff, customer accounts, and real property transfer at closing.

Business History

Food service at this Eastern Ohio location began in 1947. Seating capacity expanded to 140 over the following decades as the customer base grew across the tri-state region. Family ownership held throughout the entire operating history without interruption.

The 2,900 square foot facility on a 1.159-acre lot has served as the single operating location across all 77 years. Minor updates to equipment and finishes are identified and do not affect current daily operations. Property not included with the sale . All required Ohio food service licenses and permits are current and in good standing entering 2026.

Potential Growth and Expansion

Breakfast service was previously part of the menu and is not currently offered. Reintroducing breakfast adds a full revenue period using the existing kitchen, staff, and 140-seat dining room with no facility investment.
Operating hours currently run fewer than seven days per week. Extending to seven days including holidays increases weekly covers without adding staff or equipment.
The 1.159-acre lot supports outdoor seating or a catering staging area. Neither requires structural changes to the existing building.
Industrial and commercial activity along the Ohio River corridor is increasing. Workers and contractors from Pennsylvania and West Virginia represent an underserved lunch and dinner market already within the existing trade area.
No structured outreach currently targets local employers, contractors, hotels, or event venues in the tri-state area. Direct outreach to those channels increases covers without facility costs.
Competitive Overview

Independent full-service diners in Eastern Ohio operate in declining numbers. Attrition among sit-down American cuisine operators in Ohio River corridor communities over the past decade reduced direct competition in this trade area without a corresponding reduction in customer demand. The fast-casual and quick-service segment competes for different occasions and different price points than a full-service 140-seat dining room serves.

The tri-state positioning of this location extends the customer base beyond any single county or municipality. A new entrant to this market faces a multi-year development period before building the operational reputation and customer relationships this eatery carries. 

Key Highlights

Annual revenue of $920,810 with SDE of $36,392 (3.9% margin)
Founded in 1947, 77 years of continuous operation in Eastern Ohio
16 employees, many long-tenured, across kitchen and front-of-house
 2,900 sq ft building on 1.159-acre lot with ample parking
Seats 140 patrons in an established dining room
Tri-state trade area draws customers from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia
Breakfast service and seven-day operations represent immediate revenue opportunities requiring no facility investment
Reason for sale is retirement; operations remain active
Financials Summary


 
 

Annual Revenue


$920,810


Seller's Discretionary Earnings


$36,392


SDE Margin


3.9%


Asking Price


$174,999


Price-to-Revenue Multiple


0.19x


FF&E


Included in sale


Inventory


$0


Real Property


Included in sale


Revenue Trend


Stable



Ideal Buyer Profile

Managing $920,810 in annual revenue across 16 employees requires daily presence in the building. Kitchen operations, scheduling, vendor relationships, and front-of-house management each demand direct owner attention at the current staffing level. $174,999 covers the full purchase price including real property, which eliminates lease exposure and provides long-term asset value independent of the operating business. Working capital sufficient to cover the first 90 days of operations is an additional requirement. A buyer who reintroduces breakfast and extends to seven-day service addresses the current 3.9% SDE margin without capital investment. A buyer without direct restaurant experience needs a qualified general manager in place at or before closing.

Confidentiality Notice

A signed confidentiality agreement is required before financial details are released. Qualified buyers should contact the listing broker to request the full offering memorandum.

 
Transworld Business Advisors of Canton is Northeast Ohio's trusted business exit partner, serving Stark and Columbiana County entrepreneurs with confidential business brokerage, certified business valuations, and strategic exit planning. We specialize in helping retiring small business owners maximize value, preserve legacies, and execute confidential transitions. Our certified business appraisers provide accurate valuations for succession planning, business sales, and acquisition opportunities. Whether you're selling a family business, planning retirement, buying an established company, or need expert guidance through the complex business transition process, we deliver proven results for Canton's business community.


The restaurant industry, particularly in areas experiencing economic expansion, is poised for growth. According to industry insights, establishments like family-owned diners maintain a unique competitive edge by offering personalized service and locally favored cuisines. With a significant development, such as the nearby Shell cracker plant, the region anticipates increased demand for dining options, underscoring a positive outlook for this sector.

The business is situated on the threshold of a significant growth trajectory, fueled by the expanding local economy and a void in the full-service restaurant space in the area. There exists a tangible opportunity for the expansion of service offerings, including the reintroduction of breakfast menus and extension of operating hours to seven days a week, including holidays. Moreover, the introduction of a modest marketing plan to advertise these expanded services and special holiday hours could further elevate the diner's prominence and patronage.


https://tworld.com/locations/Ohio/canton/listings/77yr-Family-Owned-American-Diner-in-Eastern-Ohio-