Reconcile the sales — point-of-sale against bank deposits and tax returns
Cash-heavy businesses invite optimistic numbers; verify reported revenue against the processor and the returns before you trust a figure.
Similar businesses sell at 1.2x to 4.0x SDE. Compare live listings and connect with sellers.

Busy Mexican fast-food restaurant with drive-thru, located in a high-visibility Scottsdale corridor surrounded by major resorts, sports venues, and entertainment hubs. This turnkey operation benefits from constant traffic, strong local demand, and steady tourist flow year-round, making it a prime opportunity for a hands-on owner looking for a proven, high-performing location.

Busy Mexican fast-food restaurant with drive-thru located in a growing West Phoenix corridor surrounded by residential neighborhoods, retail centers, and industrial employment zones. The location benefits from strong visibility, steady daily traffic, and long-term growth potential. A great fit for a hands-on owner looking to step into a proven, well-situated operation.
National transaction benchmarks for restaurant and food business businesses.
Under $500K
$500K to $2M
Over $2M
A variety of factors can cause businesses to trade outside this range, including earnings quality, operational transferability, key-person risk, growth trajectory, and geography, so a listing priced above or below the typical multiple usually reflects real differences in the underlying business.
Cofounder & CEO
Key diligence, valuation, financing, and transition considerations for buyers evaluating restaurant and food business acquisitions.
Cash-heavy businesses invite optimistic numbers; verify reported revenue against the processor and the returns before you trust a figure.
Remaining term, escalations, and assignment rights can make or break a restaurant; a strong concept on a non-transferable lease is a problem you inherit.
Margins are thin and move with wages and commodities; understand prime cost and how stable the kitchen and front-of-house staff are.
Liquor licenses, health permits, and inspection history are valuable and sometimes fragile; review the record before you commit.
A chef-owner or personality-driven concept may not transfer; understand the recipes, systems, and whether the brand survives new ownership.
Kitchen equipment, refrigeration, and the dining room wear and date; tour it with someone who knows the gear.
Answers to common buyer questions for this market.