Business sale

Selling Your Hospitality Business — What You Need to Know (and How We Can Help)

Selling a hospitality business isn’t just a transaction — it’s an emotional and often complex process. You’ve poured time, energy, and money into your venue. Maybe you’ve built it from scratch, or maybe you’ve taken it as far as you can and it’s time for the next chapter.

Whether you’re stepping away because of burnout, lifestyle changes, or the lure of something new, we’re here to help you prepare, sell, and walk away with clarity and confidence — not chaos.

We’ve sold venues ourselves. We’ve worked with agents, lawyers, and buyers. And we’ve seen the mistakes that can cost sellers thousands (or sink a deal entirely). This guide is here to help you avoid those.

Step 1: Preparation — Make It Sellable

The better your business looks on paper and in person, the more appealing it becomes to buyers. Before you list, we help you do a full review of your venue — and identify what can be fixed, upgraded, or clarified to make it more attractive.

Here’s what we typically look at:

• Clean Financials
  Buyers want clarity. We help you tidy your books, organise your P&L, and clearly show turnover, wages, COGS, and net profit.

• Operational Systems
  A business that runs without you is more valuable. We’ll check if your systems (rostering, ordering, training, etc.) are documented and transferable.

• Visual & Physical Appeal
  We help you improve first impressions — cost-effectively. A paint refresh, signage upgrade, or decluttered layout can go a long way.

• Lease Review
  The lease is often a deal-maker or breaker. We’ll help you understand how much time is left, if a transfer is allowed, and whether there’s room for negotiation to benefit a sale.

• Staff Structure
  Is your team stable? Are roles clear? Will the business survive a handover? We’ll help you set this up so it looks low-risk to a buyer.

Step 2: Avoiding the Underwater Rocks

There are a few hidden issues that can derail a sale — even at the final stage. We call these “underwater rocks.” We help you identify and avoid them:

• Outdated or missing permits

• Disputes with landlords, suppliers, or staff

• Unregistered equipment or unapproved fit-outs

• Staffing issues that come to light during due diligence

• Poor financial transparency or “cash-only” histories

• Overpriced asking values set by emotion, not market value

We’ll guide you through a health check before you hit the market — so nothing surprises you (or the buyer) halfway through.

Step 3: Choosing the Right Agent (or Going Without One)

Do you need a broker? Not always — but in many cases, yes.

We can connect you with reliable, hospitality-focused business brokers who:

• Understand the venue market

• Know how to talk to buyers

• Won’t waste your time with dreamers

We’ll help you:

• Interview agents

• Understand what their commission and marketing costs really mean

• Prepare your info pack and handover docs

• Review your business valuation to ensure it’s realistic — not emotional

In some cases, if your business is small, niche, or already has an interested buyer, we can help you go agent-free, saving thousands and keeping more in your pocket.

Step 4: The Sale Process — What to Expect

Here’s how a standard sale process works (we’ll guide you through all of it):

1. Preparation phase – Financials, paperwork, cleanup

2. List with agent (or private sale) – Marketing, info packs, buyer screening

3. Buyer shows interest – Confidentiality agreements signed

4. Due diligence begins – Buyer reviews everything: financials, lease, operations, staff

5. Contract of sale drafted – You may need a lawyer to help here

6. Negotiations – Price, settlement terms, inclusions, etc.

7. Deposit taken – Usually 5-10%

8. Landlord approval – For lease transfer

9. Final settlement – Business is handed over

We help you manage all of this — step by step — and keep the stress levels down.

After the Sale — What Comes Next?

This is the part most people don’t plan for — what happens after the money hits your account?

Many business owners don’t realise:

• You may have outstanding liabilities (taxes, staff leave, ATO debts)

• The proceeds of the sale might be taxed more than expected

• Without planning, a big payday can turn into a big bill

We can help you structure the exit so you hold onto more of what you’ve earned.

This could include:

• Timing the sale around financial year strategies

• Using part of the sale proceeds to pay down debts smartly

• Seeking advice from a trusted accountant or tax advisor (we can connect you)

• Understanding small business capital gains tax concessions that you may be eligible for

Selling your business should bring relief — not regret. We’re here to make sure that happens.

Thinking of Selling? Don’t Wait Until You’re Burnt Out.

The best time to sell is before you’ve hit the wall.

Whether you're just starting to think about it or ready to go, a conversation now can save you months of delay — or thousands of dollars.

We’re not agents. We’re not lawyers. We’re not here to sell you anything. We’re here to:

• Help you get your business ready

• Protect you from common mistakes

• Connect you with the right professionals

• Be your sounding board when things get overwhelming

Selling your business is a big decision — but you don’t have to do it alone. Let’s prepare properly and make sure you walk away with the peace (and profit) you deserve.