Everything we wish every owner knew before they started.
Plain-language guides on valuation, family conversations, legal basics, and deal structures — written for restaurant owners, not finance professionals.
What Is My Restaurant Actually Worth? A Plain-English Guide.
The valuation method almost every independent restaurant sale actually uses — explained without the jargon, plus what makes heritage restaurants worth more.
Read the guide →Valuation & Financials
3 ArticlesWhat Is My Restaurant Actually Worth?
The SDE-multiple method explained plainly, with real Louisiana-relevant ranges.
Read more → ValuationRevenue vs. Owner's Benefit: Why They're Not the Same Thing
The number buyers actually price your restaurant on — and how to calculate it yourself.
Read more → ValuationGetting Your Financial Records Ready for a Sale
What buyers and lenders will actually ask to see, and how far ahead to start preparing.
Read more →Family & Legacy Conversations
4 ArticlesIt's Okay to Have Mixed Feelings About This
Selling a restaurant is a real emotional decision, not just a financial one — and feeling conflicted doesn't mean you're wrong.
Read more → FamilyHow to Talk to Your Kids About Not Taking Over
A conversation guide for when the next generation has their own path in mind.
Read more → FamilySelling to Staff: What It Actually Takes
Financing options and realistic timelines when your successor is someone who works for you today.
Read more → FamilyWhat Happens to the Recipes and the Name?
Protecting what your family actually cares about, separate from the business transaction itself.
Read more →Legal & Licensing
3 ArticlesWhat Happens to Your Liquor License When You Sell
Louisiana ABC and parish permitting basics — and why it takes longer than people expect.
Read more → LegalHealth Department Permits & Food Safety Certifications
Your health permit doesn't transfer automatically either — what needs to be reissued, and by whom.
Read more → LegalGift Card and Loyalty Program Liabilities
Outstanding balances are a real, quantifiable obligation — here's who ends up owing them.
Read more →Deal Structures
6 ArticlesThe Sale Process, Step by Step
From confidential intake through closing — a realistic walk-through of every stage, with timelines.
Read more → DealsSeller Financing 101 for Restaurant Owners
Why so many restaurant sales include a seller note, and how to protect yourself if you offer one.
Read more → DealsAsset Sale vs. Stock Sale: Why It Matters for Your Taxes
The same purchase price can leave you with very different money after taxes, depending on this one decision.
Read more → DealsWhat a Non-Compete Clause Actually Means for You as the Seller
Standard, but negotiable — duration, geography, and scope all deserve real attention.
Read more → DealsLease Assignment and Landlord Consent
Your landlord has more say than you'd expect — and your personal guarantee may outlive the sale.
Read more → DealsSBA Loans, Explained for Sellers
What it means for your timeline and terms when your buyer is financing with an SBA loan.
Read more →Case Studies
Coming SoonOur first stories are on the way
As owners complete their succession through Restaurant Succession, we'll share their stories here (with their permission).
Don't know a term? Check the glossary.
Seller's Discretionary Earnings, seller notes, earnouts, key-person risk — defined plainly, one page.
The Complete Succession Readiness Checklist
A free, downloadable PDF covering every step from first thought to closing day.