what information do I need if I am going to purchase a restaurant

Financial Documents

  • Request profit and loss statements for the past 3 years from the current owner or seller of the restaurant
  • Review the profit and loss statements to evaluate the financial performance of the restaurant over the past 3 years
  • Ask for balance sheets for the past 3 years from the current owner or seller of the restaurant
  • Examine the balance sheets to understand the restaurant's assets, liabilities, and equity over the past 3 years
  • Obtain tax returns for the past 3 years from the current owner or seller of the restaurant
  • Review the tax returns to ensure that the restaurant has been compliant with tax regulations and to evaluate its financial health
  • Request cash flow statements for the past year from the current owner or seller of the restaurant
  • Analyze the cash flow statements to assess the restaurant's ability to generate cash and manage its expenses in the past year
  • Ask for accounts receivable and payable reports from the current owner or seller of the restaurant
  • Examine the reports to understand the restaurant's outstanding debts and obligations to suppliers and customers

Legal Documents

Operational Documents

Staffing Information

Customer Data

Physical Assets

  • Copies of recent utility bills
  • Contracts for any services such as cleaning or landscaping

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