Restaurant Values | A Quick Check

The following list was updated for the 2009 Business Reference Guide and the Business Reference Guide Online, which is continually updated.

Remember, that Rules of Thumb are just that, but will provide a quick “ballpark” idea of what these various food and drink businesses might sell for. Obviously inherent profitability, lease terms, FF&E and specific market location will all have a bearing. We will do a thorough analysis using different methodologies to determine the best offering price for a specific restaurant. BF

Bagels
30% to 35% of annual sales

Bars
50% of annual sales

Bar and Grills
(50% Liquor) 40% to 50% of annual sales

Barbecue
30% of annual sales

Bistros
30% of annual sales

Brew Pubs
40% of annual sales

Billiard Parlors
45% of annual sales

Cajun
30% of annual sales

Catering Businesses
30% to 40% of annual sales

Caribbean
30% of annual sales

Chicken
30% of annual sales

Chinese
30% of annual sales (Sales figures important)

Coffee Houses
40% of annual sales

Continental
30% of annual sales

Delis
30% to 40% of annual sales (30% if open 7 days; 40% if open 5 or 6 days)

Diners
30% of annual sales

Fine Dining
30% of annual sales

Gourmet Shops
30% of annual sales (inventory will be high)

Hamburgers
35% of annual sales

Ice Cream
35% to 40% of annual sales

Irish
30% - 40% of annual sales

Italian
30% to 40% of annual sales

Mexican
30% of annual sales

Night Clubs
25% of annual sales

Pancake Houses
30% of annual sales

Pizza (if delivery)
30% of annual sales

Pizza (if no delivery)
40% of annual sales

Sandwiches
40% of annual sales

Seafood
30% of annual sales (Very high food costs)

Sports Bars
40% to 45% of annual sales

Steakhouses
30% of annual sales (Very high food costs)