Just as different restaurants are unique in style, menu, ambiance and demographic appeal, so too are the many business issues restaurateurs face in an increasingly competitive market. A broker is there to provide the restaurant industry with professional services for the special challenges found in every aspect of restaurant real estate.

A good restaurant broker:

• Focuses on restaurant brokerage
• Understands the latest trends in the restaurant industry
• Understands restaurant real estate which has special characteristics and requirements
• Has a working and up to date knowledge of the national restaurant market through interaction with other restaurant service providers
• Knows the local restaurant and real estate market
• Knows the local restaurant market in terms of competition, leasing activity, comparable leases and sales
• Knows who is going where and why
• Identifies opportunities and secures properties or restaurants that are not officially on the market
• Knows who is coming to town and who is leaving
• Is experienced in lease negotiations and the unique clauses associated with restaurant leases (use, percentage rent, gross sales definition, landlord's work, tenant improvement allowance, etc.)
• Saves you time in learning the market and in the packaging of support materials for the corporate review and approval process
• Is able to refer you to the best local restaurant industry vendors, lawyers, accountants, etc.
• Can assist with local approvals for zoning, health department and liquor licenses
• Knows how to do a restaurant market study

Portland Restaurant Brokers & Consultants can assist you with:

• Market penetration strategies
• Site location and analysis
• Lease or purchase negotiations
• Restaurant brokerage
• Property acquisitions
• Divestiture of surplus properties
• Entertainment real estate planning
• General restaurant consulting
• Tenant procurement strategies
• Financial procurement or restructuring
• Asset management

ARE YOU BUYING?

One of the most important steps in acquiring a restaurant business is to be prepared. If you have business ownership experience you undoubtedly understand what it means to be an entrepreneur. However, if you have never owned a business, it is important that you inventory what you bring to the table in addition to your investment, ideas and enthusiasm. In either case, you must know your current financial status and future requirements. You must also identify those skills and experiences that will contribute to the success of your new business.

Once you are prepared financially, physically and emotionally to purchase a restaurant business, Portland Restaurant Brokers has a team of professionals to assist you in your business acquisition.

All partners at Portland Restaurant Brokers & Consulting are licensed Real Estate Agents and have been restaurant and bar owners themselves who now specialize in all facets of acquiring a restaurant, including lease negotiations and real property transactions.

During your initial contact with someone from PRB&C you will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement stating that you will not disclose any information that we share with you about any of our business listings. This permits us to share information with you that would otherwise be kept confidential. You may also be asked to fill out a buyer questionnaire. This form helps us to properly identify your needs so that we can better assist you in finding your ideal business to purchase. Another form that you may need to fill out is a personal financial statement. This form will help you determine your net worth as well as qualify your financial status to a landlord.

After the confidentiality agreement is signed we will provide you with the address, pictures and a summary of the business. Once you receive the information you will visit the business as a customer and visually inspect the location and interior of the restaurant. If you have further interest, you will call us for a tour of the kitchen and will be provided with financial information (if applicable) and equipment list. At that time you will have an opportunity to speak with the seller and ask questions about the business. We will make you aware of the positive and negative aspects of the restaurant.

Now that you have seen the restaurants that fit your requirements and spoken with the owner, you may decide to move forward with the purchase of this restaurant. One responsibility of your broker is to facilitate the process of the purchase. Your agent will help you work with the landlord for the lease assignment, guide you through obtaining licenses and permits that may be necessary to complete the escrow process. Our mission is to help ensure that the transfer of the restaurant is as smooth as possible.

With more than 35 years experience in the restaurant, Portland Restaurant Brokers & Consultants have built their business and reputation on their Code of Ethics and standards of professionalism with which they proceed through every transaction.

ARE YOU SELLING?

As a business owner, one of the most important decisions of your business career is the decision to sell your business.

Most sellers do not realize the steps that must be taken to ensure a successful sale.

Among the necessary steps, we present the following guidelines of what to do when it's time to sell:

Confidentiality:
Procedures must be in place so that your business will not be harmed by premature disclosure about the sale. PRB&C have developed non-disclosure forms, procedures and closed networks of other agents to ensure confidentiality.

Valuation:
The partners at PBR&C will assist you in your pricing strategy by utilizing current market trends. This is a complimentary service.

Business Profile:
A complete marketing package is created for each restaurant we list in order to have a comprehensive business profile ready to present to a prospective buyer. The presentation package includes the facts about your restaurant.

Marketing:
There are many avenues available for the marketing of your restaurant to prospective buyers. PBR&C utilizes a full range of advertising venues to ensure maximize exposure which will include all of the following:
- Listing Exchanges
- Various Websites
- Newspaper Advertising
- Direct Mail
- Trade Journal Advertising
- Networking

We offer all of these methods, in addition to exposure to an existing, pre-screened client base that we have developed. We also belong to the Portland Business Alliance and the Oregon Restaurant Association. We make sure that every member receives information about the availability of your restaurant in the event they have a client who would be well suited to purchase your business.

Negotiation:
We will provide you and the prospective buyer and their agents, if any, with professional representation throughout the preparation of the offer and the resulting negotiation to the written agreement. As your representative, we will proceed through this process in a timely manner, while continuing to preserve the integrity of your negotiating position to lock in the terms and price that is acceptable to you.

Close of Escrow:
Once an agreement has been signed, we will be instrumental in controlling the process from the agreement to the time when you close escrow and transfer possession and responsibility of your restaurant. During this critical time, we ensure that deadlines are met and conditions satisfied, along with addressing any unexpected problems that may arise.

We can assist and represent you in fair market value, rental rate comparisons for your area, lease re-negotiations and more.