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Podcasts/Acquiring Minds
Acquiring MindsMay 16, 2024✓ Verified in SBA records

When a Restaurant Is a Great Business to Buy

with Jarett Berke · Lou's

Listen to Episode →

LenderHawk analysis. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Acquiring Minds.

The Deal

Business
Lou's
Industry
Restaurant
State
NH
Multiple (SDE)
3.5x
Year
2018
Revenue at Purchase
$5.0M
SDE at Purchase
$800K
LTV at Close
80%
Deal Source
referral

Financing Structure

SBA 7(a)
SBA 504
Seller Note
Buyer Equity
$200K

Strategic Rationale

Acquiring a high-margin neighborhood institution with multiple revenue streams and valuable real estate.

Post-Acquisition Performance

Revenue increased 60% over 6 years; purchased real estate 16 months later.

The LenderHawk View

Real lenders that finance similar deals

Active Lenders
10
Median Spread
P + 1.91%
Top Lenders
TD Bank, National Association72 deals
Eastern Bank53 deals
Camden National Bank44 deals
Meredith Village Savings Bank35 deals
Merrimack County Savings Bank33 deals
See all matching lenders →

Key Takeaways

  • 1Avoid pre-judging business categories or opportunities based on industry stereotypes; conduct objective financial analysis instead.
  • 2A general manager in place is critical infrastructure that allows the owner to work on rather than in the business.
  • 3Multiple revenue streams (restaurant, bakery, catering) provide resilience and profitability advantages over single-line businesses.
  • 4Owning real estate alongside the business provides long-term value and protects against rent escalation.
  • 5Building strong relationships and trust with sellers, lenders, and employees yields cooperative transitions and sustained operations.

Matched SBA Loan Records

SBA loan filings we matched to this deal

Eastern Bank95%
$350KP + 1.75%FY2013

Want the Full Story?

The full narrative — the personal details, the hard moments, the host conversation — only lives in the original. Go listen.

Listen on Acquiring Minds