top of page
Search


Georgia Restaurant Market Report Q1 2026: The IBBA Data Is In. What It Means for Atlanta and Savannah Restaurant Owners Who Are Ready to Sell.
The IBBA Q1 2026 Market Pulse is out. 300 brokers. 203 closed transactions. As Georgia's IBBA-credentialed restaurant broker, Jimmy Carey decodes every number that matters for Atlanta and Savannah sellers: SDE multiples, buyer proximity, the 68% exit planning gap, what exit planning actually involves, time to close, AI and valuations, and what the Boomer liquidity wave means for Georgia restaurant owners right now. Real broker intelligence translated locally. Serving Atlanta,

Jimmy Carey
May 2035 min read


Savannah's Restaurant Market Is Heating Up — And Atlanta Operators Are Starting to Notice
The Savannah up and coming restaurant market is backed by seven converging demand drivers — from 12.9 million annual visitors to a $4.5 billion port expansion to a wave of new hotels — that are drawing national operators south and creating favorable exit conditions for Savannah restaurant owners who understand the timing.

Jimmy Carey
Apr 2933 min read


Your Restaurant Is Running You — Not the Other Way Around: The Real Cost of Restaurant Owner Dependency in Atlanta and Across Georgia
Your restaurant runs — but only because you never stop running it. Restaurant owner dependency in Atlanta is one of the most expensive conditions a restaurant can have, silently compressing your SDE multiple from 2.9x down to 1.5x before a single offer is made. Atlanta's Premier Restaurant Broker Jimmy Carey breaks down what owner dependency costs in real dollars, how buyers and SBA lenders price it, and the proven JCCRE 4-Step Dependency Reduction Plan for fixing it before y

Jimmy Carey
Apr 1919 min read


How to Calculate SDE for Your Restaurant — And Why the Number Surprises Most Atlanta Sellers
Most Atlanta restaurant owners think their business is worth more than the market will pay. This guide shows you exactly how to calculate SDE, why net profit and revenue are the wrong starting points, and how the JCCRE 4-Gap Valuation Reality Check explains the gap between what sellers believe and what buyers will finance. For restaurants in Atlanta, Savannah & all of Georgia.

Jimmy Carey
Nov 25, 202535 min read


Restaurant Valuation Atlanta: Why Earnings Matter More Than Assets When Selling Your Restaurant
In Restaurant Valuation Atlanta, earnings—not assets—determine true value. Discover how experienced restaurant broker Jimmy Carey helps Atlanta restaurant owners understand what their business is really worth. Learn how Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE), Owner Benefit, and lease terms drive pricing, and why accurate valuation can mean the difference between a successful sale and a missed opportunity.

Jimmy Carey
Nov 7, 202513 min read


Should Atlanta Restaurant Owners Lease or Buy Their Space? A 2026 Decision Guide
Should Atlanta restaurant owners lease or buy their space? Jimmy Carey, Atlanta's Premier Restaurant Broker with 37 years of restaurant operator experience, covers the real cost of leasing, CAM fees, percentage rent traps, SBA 504 financing, and exactly how your real estate decision affects your restaurant's sale price in Atlanta, Savannah, and all of Georgia. A practical decision guide for restaurant operators at every stage of the business cycle, from first concept to exit

Jimmy Carey
Jan 2, 202525 min read


Buying an Existing Restaurant in Atlanta: Pros, Cons, Hidden Costs, and the Startup Comparison Most Buyers Never See
Discover the pros and cons of buying an existing restaurant. Explore your options and expert tips from Atlanta’s top restaurant broker.

Jimmy Carey
Dec 11, 202429 min read


Restaurant Startup Costs in Atlanta in 2026: What It Actually Costs
What do restaurant startup costs in Atlanta actually look like in 2026? Not national averages - real numbers by concept type, from construction and grease traps to Georgia liquor licenses, working capital, and the one decision that changes everything. From Jimmy Carey, Atlanta's Premier Restaurant Broker with 37 years in the industry and five restaurant openings of his own. Serving Atlanta, Savannah & All of Georgia.

Jimmy Carey
Dec 7, 202434 min read


8 Mistakes New Restaurant Owners Make in Atlanta in Year One (And What to Do Instead)
Discover the top 8 mistakes new restaurant owners make and learn actionable tips to avoid them. Start your journey to success with experts!

Jimmy Carey
Dec 4, 202429 min read


How to Choose the Right Restaurant Location in Atlanta and Savannah: A Complete Site Selection Guide
Choosing the right restaurant location in Atlanta is the decision that controls every dollar you spend and every customer you attract for the next decade. Atlanta's Premier Restaurant Broker Jimmy Carey, founder of five Jimmy'z Kitchen locations, breaks down the complete site selection framework: 8 criteria, Atlanta submarket guide, Savannah analysis, buildout cost tables, site selection scorecard, red flag walkaway list, and the mistakes Atlanta operators make every year.

Jimmy Carey
Dec 1, 202424 min read
bottom of page
