Restaurant Properties, Not-From-Scratch

We’ve said it before, existing restaurant real estate can be ideal for new restaurateurs seeking available space on a budget. That’s because restaurant locations that are closing, but are already outfitted for an operational restaurant business, can leave behind $200-300k in new construction equivalent value in the form of plumbing, ventilation, electrical, grease traps and otherwise. That’s even if free-standing equipment is sold off. The more recently available the restaurant space is, the more likely it will also be up to current code. 

Property Showcase

We’ve scouted out some currently available space specimens for you to check out for your restaurant business plans. Here are our 10 favorites (we’ve included more below) from our friends at Loopnet:

	Fully Fixturized Gourmet Restaurant & Delicatessen in Little Italy
	Gaslamp: Current build out includes a large bar space, an industrial hood with built-in exhaust, and grease trap
	Former Papa John’s in Carmel Valley
	Vista: Currently a Subway restaurant, the space is fully fixturized with lots of restaurant equipment for sale by the outgoing Franchisee
	Restaurant opportunity at the gateway into Old Town, abundant on-site parking and street parking
	East Village: Former Cafe space with some restaurant improvements
	La Jolla: Second generation restaurant including large outdoor patio area, walk-in freezer/cooler, grease trap, type 1 & 2 Hoods
	This second generation restaurant space located at one of the busiest intersections in the San Diego Gaslamp Quarter and already has a hood, grease trap, and walk-in cooler in place!
	SDSU: Full tenant improvements, fully permitted kitchen, all fixtures, furniture, equipment (FF&E), exhaust hood, grease trap, fully operational and active
	PB: Two existing walk-ins and a 12′ Industrial Hood, with 11′-0″ ceilings

To add to your property search resources, do some research and door-knocking with food service providers near your preferred locations. Find out whose business is younger than three years or has a renewed lease period approaching, and you might find yourself working with an existing restaurant in strategic partnership to negotiate a lease takeover. Many factors can motivate restaurant owners to get out of their lease or sell a perfectly useful commercial food service space. That space might be just what you’ve been dreaming of. 

If you’re searching for a space in which to build your foodservice dreams, let APSGC introduce you to our partners in Southern California commercial brokerage, and call us to lend our skills in evaluating or planning and creating your new space!

Additional Resources:

APSGC: The Big 3 Before You Sign the Lease
APSGC: Construction Services
APSGC: Commercial Site Evaluation
APSGC: Open Your Restaurant for Under $200K
Article: 60+ Restaurant Industry Statistics for Restaurant Owners in 2019
Article: 2018 Economic Outlook for the California Restaurant Industry 
Forbes: No, Most Restaurants Don’t Fail in the first Year

More property listings in SD County and nearby, by neighborhood: