Restaurant Asset Sale Atlanta: Why Selling a Restaurant in Roswell, Georgia Might Be the Smartest Move You Make
- Jimmy Carey
- Jul 12
- 7 min read
Another restaurant has officially changed hands — this time in Roswell, Georgia, one of the fastest-growing food and beverage submarkets in the metro Atlanta area. The transaction was quietly and professionally handled by Jimmy Carey Commercial Real Estate, a top-performing restaurant business broker based in Atlanta, Georgia.
The deal? A confidential restaurant asset sale. No public financials. No brand name revealed. Just a fully built-out, highly visible, quick-service restaurant location sold to a qualified buyer ready to launch their own concept.
If you’re a restaurant owner in Georgia, especially in cities like Sandy Springs, Buckhead, Alpharetta, or Peachtree Corners, this should catch your attention. This transaction highlights a growing trend in the market — the demand for a well-executed restaurant asset sale Atlanta business owners can trust to deliver results.
You don’t have to be profitable to sell your restaurant. And you don’t have to be stuck with an underperforming location. You have options — especially when you work with an experienced Atlanta Restaurant Broker who knows how to bring value to the table.
🍴 What Is a Restaurant Asset Sale Atlanta and Why Does It Work?
When we say restaurant for sale, most people assume we’re talking about selling a business with positive cash flow, healthy profit margins, and strong brand equity. But in today’s commercial real estate Atlanta market, many successful transactions are happening through asset sales.
A restaurant asset sale involves selling the physical components of your restaurant — like the hood system, grease trap, walk-in cooler, equipment, fixtures, and lease rights — but not necessarily the business name or brand. These sales are ideal for owners in areas like Roswell, Alpharetta, or Sandy Springs who want to exit quietly and efficiently without needing to prove financial performance.
For a deeper understanding of how these types of transactions work, check out our blog on why a restaurant asset sale might be the smartest move for Georgia restaurateurs in 2025, and watch this video showcasing real examples of successful asset sales.
💡 Why Restaurant Owners Across Georgia Are Choosing Asset Sales
If you're a restaurant owner in Marietta, Duluth, Cumming, or even Savannah, and your business is struggling or breaking even, you may be asking:
“Can I still sell my restaurant?”
✅ Yes. And not only is it possible — it can be a smart business move.
Why?
💰 Build-out costs are rising — buyers want second-generation spaces
🕒 Permitting delays make turnkey options more appealing
📍 Prime real estate still commands attention in places like Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Peachtree Corners, Savannah and Buckhead
⚡ Speed-to-market is critical — buyers want ready-to-go kitchens. If you're unsure how much it would cost to open a restaurant from scratch, you might find this detailed guide on restaurant startup costs helpful in comparing your options
If you’re unsure whether leasing or buying your restaurant location is the right move, this post on whether restaurant owners should lease or buy in Atlanta breaks down both strategies.
Additionally, if you're considering selling, make sure to watch this short video outlining 5 key questions to ask before listing.
🔑 What Made the Roswell Deal Successful?
Here’s why this restaurant sold quickly and efficiently:
✅ Turnkey build-out with full kitchen, grease trap, and walk-in cooler
📍 High-traffic location in Roswell’s growing food district
🧠 Serious buyer ready to deploy a new concept immediately
🤝 Expert brokerage from Jimmy Carey, a former chef and restaurateur who speaks both languages — culinary and real estate
To see another example of a restaurant opportunity in Roswell, check out this video of a Vietnamese restaurant asset sale. You can also read about how we support clients with expert tenant representation to ensure a seamless lease transition.
🧭 What Buyers Should Know About Restaurant Asset Sale Atlanta Opportunities
Restaurant asset sales aren’t just an exit strategy — they’re a buyer’s shortcut to launching a new brand.
If you’re an operator or investor in Atlanta, Athens, Savannah, or any part of Georgia this model can help you:
💸 Save $100K+ on build-out
🕓 Open in weeks instead of months
📍 Secure a proven location with lease in place
🍽️ Customize the space to fit your concept
Buyers often come to us seeking speed and opportunity. One great example is this video walkthrough of a turnkey restaurant space in Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward.
And if you're an international buyer, learn more about why buying a restaurant in Atlanta is a smart investment for E2 visa applicants. You can also read the version of this article published directly on the Coldwell Banker Commercial Metro Brokers site here.
🏆 Why Work with Jimmy Carey — Georgia’s Leading Restaurant Business Broker
With 37+ years in the food and beverage world — including owning 5 restaurants and earning a culinary degree — Jimmy Carey is not your average commercial real estate broker in Sandy Springs GA. You can also view his full professional background and affiliations on his official Coldwell Banker Commercial Metro Brokers profile.
He’s a trusted resource for:
🍴 Restaurant owners in Buckhead, Alpharetta, and Dunwoody
🏗️ Buyers looking for restaurant for sale Atlanta opportunities
🧾 Franchise groups and multi-unit operators across Georgia
To learn more about how Jimmy’s unique experience sets him apart, visit our post about Atlanta’s leading restaurant broker.
✅ Frequently Asked Questions About Selling a Restaurant in Georgia
1. Can I sell my restaurant even if it’s not profitable?Yes — and this is one of the biggest misconceptions among restaurant owners. You don't need to show strong profits to sell your restaurant. Through a restaurant asset sale, you can market and sell your kitchen equipment, buildout, location value, and lease terms. Many buyers are searching for restaurant for sale Atlanta listings that are turnkey, even if the business itself is no longer operating.
2. What is a restaurant asset sale, and how does it work?A restaurant asset sale involves selling the physical components of your restaurant — like the hood system, grease trap, walk-in cooler, equipment, fixtures, and possibly the lease — but not necessarily the business name or brand. These sales are ideal for owners in areas like Roswell, Alpharetta, or Sandy Springs who want to exit quietly and efficiently without needing to prove financial performance.
3. How long does it take to sell a restaurant in Georgia?As of July 2025, the Atlanta restaurant market continues to favor buyers. While second-generation restaurant spaces are still in demand, the pace of sales depends heavily on pricing, location, lease terms, and equipment condition. On average, a well-positioned and competitively priced restaurant asset sale can take between 3 to 14 months to close. Partnering with an experienced Atlanta restaurant broker like Jimmy Carey can significantly reduce time on the market by ensuring accurate pricing, broad exposure, and pre-qualified buyers.
4. How is Jimmy Carey Commercial Real Estate different from other business brokers in Georgia?Unlike general commercial real estate brokers, Jimmy Carey specializes exclusively in restaurants and food and beverage businesses. As a former multi-unit restaurant owner and professional chef, he brings unmatched insight to every deal — from equipment valuation to landlord negotiations. His focus includes all of Metro Atlanta, including Peachtree Corners, Duluth, Cumming, and Savannah.
5. What’s the value of working with a restaurant-specific broker like Jimmy Carey?Jimmy Carey isn’t just another commercial real estate Atlanta agent. He understands everything from back-of-house operations to front-of-house branding. That means you’ll work with someone who knows how to talk to chefs, speak to landlords, and structure deals that work for both buyers and sellers — especially in sensitive asset sales.
6. What types of buyers are looking for restaurant asset sales in Georgia?Buyers range from food truck owners looking for a permanent location, to franchisees expanding to Roswell, Sandy Springs, or Athens, to hospitality entrepreneurs entering new markets. Most are looking for restaurant for sale Georgia opportunities that are fully built-out — saving them the cost and time of new construction.
7. Will selling my restaurant publicly affect my staff or customers?Not when handled by a professional. Jimmy Carey Commercial Real Estate conducts all listings confidentially. That means no signage, no public announcements, and buyer screening that protects your staff, operations, and reputation until the time is right. This is particularly valuable in competitive markets like Dunwoody, Alpharetta, and Buckhead.
8. I’m ready to sell my restaurant — what’s my first step?Start with a confidential consultation with Jimmy Carey. He’ll assess your location, lease, equipment, and market potential to help you determine whether an asset sale is the right move. Whether your business is in Marietta, Cumming, or Downtown Atlanta, you’ll receive honest advice backed by decades of experience in both the restaurant and brokerage industries.
📞 Call 305-788-8207 or visit www.jimmycareycommercialrealestate.com to get started.
📞 Ready to Sell Your Restaurant? Let’s Talk.
Whether your restaurant is thriving or struggling, now is the time to explore your options. A well-positioned restaurant asset sale could help you transition smoothly — and profitably — into your next chapter. For additional strategies to increase your exit value, check out this article on maximizing the profit of the sale of a restaurant.
At Jimmy Carey Commercial Real Estate, we specialize in restaurants, fast food restaurants, fast casual, bar's, lounges, fine dining restaurants, casual restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, and all businesses that are Food & Beverage related.
Let us help you:
Confidentially list your restaurant
Evaluate your equipment and lease
Attract qualified buyers
Handle negotiations and closings
Protect your reputation and team
📍 Serving All of Georgia:Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Marietta, Duluth, Peachtree Corners, Buckhead, Dunwoody, Cumming, Athens, Savannah
📞 Call: 305-788-8207
📧 Email: jimmy@jimmycareycre.com
🌐 Website: www.jimmycareycommercialrealestate.com
Jimmy Carey Commercial Real Estate
The trusted name in restaurant for sale Atlanta services.
If you're ready to buy, sell, or expand — talk to me an experienced restaurant broker in Georgia.
Comments