What Is a Restaurant Asset Sale? Why It’s the Smartest Move for Restaurateurs in 2025

Turnkey restaurant spaces like this are exactly what Jimmy Carey Commercial Real Estate helps buyers acquire through strategic restaurant asset sales—saving time, money, and getting operators to market fast.

Restaurant Asset Sale

Whether you’re a Chef dreaming of your first location or a Seasoned Entrepreneur expanding your portfolio, one key decision will impact your timeline, costs, and ultimate success: Should you build out a new Restaurant from scratch—or buy a Restaurant Asset Sale?

More and more Chefs and Entrepreneurs across Atlanta and the U.S. are turning to Restaurant Asset Sales as a faster, more cost-effective, and less risky way to launch or reinvent their business.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• What defines a Restaurant Asset Sale

• Which assets are typically included

• Why Asset Sales are increasingly preferred over ground-up build-outs

• How much it really costs to build out a Restaurant from scratch

• The dramatic time savings of acquiring a turnkey space

• 15 real-world questions and answers from active restaurateurs

• Insights and success stories from the Jimmy Carey Commercial Real Estate blog

• YouTube videos that walk you through the asset sale process visually

  
  

What Is a Restaurant Asset Sale?

A Restaurant Asset Sale is a type of business transaction where the buyer purchases selected assets of an existing restaurant—rather than the company or corporation that owns it. In simpler terms, you're buying the tools, not the toolbox.

This deal structure allows the buyer to save money, save time, avoid assuming any legal liabilities, unpaid debts, or pending obligations associated with the business entity (like lawsuits, vendor contracts, or taxes). Instead, the focus is on acquiring assets that can jumpstart operations almost immediately.

Commonly included in an Asset Sale are:

• Commercial kitchen equipment (e.g., ranges, fryers, dishwashers,, etc...)

• Dining room furniture, fixtures and decor

• Leasehold improvements (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, finished floors & ceilings)

• Point-of-sale (POS) systems

• Licenses and health permits (if transferable)

• Trade name, or brand assets—while typically excluded—can sometimes be negotiated.

  
  

Unlike a profitable Restaurant Business Sale, where you inherit everything including hidden baggage, an Asset Sale gives Restaurateurs a clean slate and maximum flexibility—whether they want to continue the existing concept or bring in their own vision.

In cities like Atlanta and all over the U.S. where permitting can be slow and construction costs are rising, buying a Restaurant Asset Sale often makes the difference between launching in 2-3 months or waiting a year. This strategy has become especially popular with Savvy Restaurateurs, E2 Visa Investors, Franchisees, and independent Chefs who want to get to market fast without unnecessary financial risk.

This modern, fully built-out dining space reflects the kind of second-generation restaurant opportunity Jimmy Carey Commercial Real Estate helps buyers secure—without the cost and time of building from scratch.

What Comes With a Restaurant Asset Sale?

Every deal is different, but a typical Restaurant Asset Sale in Atlanta and all over the U.S. or often includes:

Tangible Assets:

• Commercial kitchen equipment (e.g., ranges, ovens, fryers)

• Walk-in coolers and/or freezers

• Hood Systems with Fire Suppression Systems

• Grease Trap

• Tables, chairs, booths, counters

• POS systems

• Security cameras

• Bar equipment

  
  

Intangible Assets:

• Leasehold improvements (plumbing, electrical, bar, bathrooms, HVAC)

• Brand name, logos, menu (if included and/or negotiated)

• Website and domain (if included and/or negotiated)

  
  

Critical Component:

• A lease assignment or new lease is always required. No Asset Sale is valid without landlord approval.

One of our clients rebranded and reopened a fully built-out Restaurant space in just 45 days, thanks to the speed and efficiency of an Asset Sale transaction.

This professional-grade commercial kitchen reflects the kind of high-cost infrastructure that buyers inherit when acquiring a restaurant through an asset sale—saving months of permitting and tens of thousands in equipment costs.

Why Pay for a Restaurant Asset Sale Instead of Starting from Scratch?

The short answer: you save Time, ALOT of money, and Stress.

Building out a Restaurant is a capital-intensive, time-consuming, and regulatory-heavy process. A Restaurant Asset Sale gives you a head start by delivering a space that’s already built, approved, and operational.

Let’s compare:

Cost of Building Out a New Restaurant (Per Sq. Ft.)

According to data from RestaurantOwner.com and nationwide construction firms:

• Low end: $180–$220 per sq. ft.

• Mid-range: $240–$300 per sq. ft.

• High-end/urban markets: $350–$450 per sq. ft.

That means a 2,000 sq. ft. restaurant could cost: $400,000 to $900,000+ just to build out.

By comparison, an Asset Sale in that same location may cost $75,000–$400,000 for a fully built, functional Restaurant.

A past client took over a fully built-out space previously operated by a national burger brand, saving over $400,000 in construction costs and opening within six weeks.

Example Build-Out Costs (2025 Data):

• 1,500 Gallon Grease Trap: $15,000–$30,000 (with trenching + install)

• 10-Foot Hood System: $20,000–$30,000 fully installed

• Permit Fees: $2,500–$10,500 (fire, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, FOG)

• Balloon/Smoke Test (Fire Marshal): $400–$1,000

Now imagine inheriting all of this—already paid for and installed—in an Asset Sale.

Time Savings: Asset Sale vs Build-Out

Stage	Asset Sale	Build-Out
Landlord Approval	2–4 weeks	3–10 weeks
Inspections & Permits	1–2 weeks (if needed)	8–16 weeks
Construction	N/A	3–6 months
Grand Opening	30–60 days total	6–12 months total

As highlighted in our blog on Why Proof of Funds is Crucial for Restaurant Brokers and Sellers, success increasingly depends on how fast you can launch. Restaurant Asset Sales give you a critical head start.

Q&A: 15 Common Questions from Restaurateurs

1. Do I get the liquor license with the Asset Sale? Usually not, Liquor licenses must be reapplied for by the new owner.

2. What if I want to change the concept? Totally fine. You can rebrand, renovate, or keep the existing concept (if negotiated).

3. Can I bring in my own Chef and Menu? Absolutely. The space is yours once the APA is signed and lease is assigned.

4. What’s included in an APA? A detailed list of what you’re acquiring and what you’re not—no surprises.

5. Do I inherit debts? No. An Asset Sale specifically avoids that.

6. How fast can I open? Many restaurateurs are live in 30–60 days.

7. Can I use SBA financing for an Asset Sale? It could, each case is different.

8. What if the equipment breaks down? Items are typically sold as-is, but you can negotiate inspections.

9. Do landlords require experience? The majority of the time, Yes. We help you present a strong buyer profile.

10. Can I buy just the Assets and move them? Yes, but that’s not common—you lose the value of the build-out.

11. Are employees included? Optional—staff transfers can be talked about during negotiations.

12. Can foreign buyers use this for E2 Visa? Yes. Clean structure makes it ideal for E2 Visa applicants.

13. What happens during due diligence? You’ll inspect equipment, review lease terms, and validate licenses.

14. What’s the biggest risk? Not getting landlord approval or failing to inspect assets.

15. Can I get help valuing a business before buying? Yes! That’s part of what I do at Jimmy Carey Commercial Real Estate.

    
    

    🎥 See Real Examples of a Restaurant Asset Sale 🔍

    Still wondering what a Restaurant Asset Sale actually looks like?

    Watch this 60-second YouTube Short where I walk you through real-world examples of what's typically included in these types of transactions — including:

    ✔️ Commercial hood system

    ✔️ Walk-in cooler & grease trap

    ✔️ Fully equipped kitchen ✔️ Turnkey second-generation layout

    ✔️ Lease assignment opportunity

    This short video gives you a clear visual of how much value you're getting without the six-figure buildout costs or permitting delays.

    
    

    ▶️ Watch it now:👉 https://youtube.com/shorts/dOMFqoEeQHQ

    If you find the video helpful, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with other buyers or sellers in the restaurant industry who want to save time, money, and stress in 2025.

Final Recap: Why Restaurant Asset Sales Make Sense in 2025

When it comes to launching or expanding a Restaurant business in 2025, the numbers—and the strategy—are clear: Restaurant Asset Sales offer an unmatched combination of affordability, speed, and flexibility.

Let’s break it down:

• ✅ Substantial Cost Savings: Avoid six-figure construction and permitting costs. A Restaurant Asset Sale can reduce startup expenses by $250,000 to $900,000+, giving you the freedom to allocate that capital toward marketing, staffing, or upgrades.

• ✅ Faster Time to Market: Why wait 9–12 months for permits and construction when you can open in 30 to 60 days? Speed is the ultimate competitive advantage—especially in high-traffic areas where timing can make or break a launch.

• ✅ Built-In Infrastructure: Hood systems, grease traps, plumbing, walk-ins, and compliant HVAC—these expensive and time-consuming components are already installed, permitted, and operational. That’s a massive win.

• ✅ Strategic Flexibility: Whether you want to continue the current concept, rebrand with a fresh identity, or roll out a franchise, asset sales let you control the future. You’re buying freedom, not just fixtures.

• ✅ Ideal for E2 Visa and Multi-Unit Buyers: Asset sales are especially appealing to foreign investors needing a clean deal structure for immigration purposes, or to operators scaling across multiple locations with consistency and efficiency. This model also resonates with Entrepreneurial Chefs—Like Myself—who launched their First Restaurant by purchasing a Restaurant Asset Sale. It’s a strategic path for those who have the vision, drive, and culinary passion, but want to skip the red tape and get straight to doing what they love: creating exceptional dining experiences.

  
  

In today’s Restaurant market, success isn’t just about who has the best food—it’s about who gets to the customer first, with the right concept, in the right space. A Restaurant Asset Sale puts you there faster, for less, and with far fewer headaches.

Explore more active opportunities like our Wing Restaurant for Sale in Druid Hills, Atlanta see what’s currently available. like our Smyrna Second-Gen Restaurant for Sale  to see what’s currently available.

Watch These Videos for More:

If you’re more of a visual learner—or want to see real-world examples in action—check out these video shorts from my YouTube channel. They’re designed to help you understand restaurant asset sales from every angle:

https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyCarey-RestaurantBroker

Ready to Buy or Sell a Restaurant? Let's Talk.

📧 Email: jimmy@jimmycareycre.com

📞 Phone: (678) 406‑8478

🌐 Website: JimmyCareyCommercialRealEstate.com

I’m Jimmy Carey—restaurant business broker, former restaurateur, and Atlanta market expert. My team specializes in Restaurant Brokerage, Restaurant Sales, Lease Negotiation, and E2 Visa Deals.

Let’s structure your next opportunity—the smart way—with a Restaurant Asset Sale.