What's my Restaurant worth?
Real San Diego restaurant multiples, the value drivers that move pricing, and a free defensible valuation.
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Selling a San Diego restaurant takes more than a Craigslist listing. Buyers scrutinize lease terms, liquor licenses, kitchen equipment, food cost ratios, and prime/labor percentages before making any offer. Exit Clue has spent years brokering San Diego restaurant sales — from neighborhood taco shops in Chula Vista to fine-dining concepts in La Jolla — and we know exactly how to position your books, your story, and your assets for maximum value, while keeping the sale completely confidential from staff, suppliers, and competitors.
Restaurant Valuation Multiples (San Diego)
| Metric | Low | Typical | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDE Multiple | 1.8x | 2.3x | 2.8x | Owner-operator restaurants under $1M revenue |
| EBITDA Multiple | 2.5x | 3.3x | 4x | Manager-run, $1M–$5M revenue |
| Revenue Multiple | 0.3x | 0.4x | 0.5x | Used as a sanity check, not a primary metric |
| Asset-Only | 1 | 2 | 3 | Distressed sales or expired leases |
“Typical” is the midpoint of the published low–high range. Same source data the free calculator uses.
Value Drivers Specific to Restaurant
Lease & Location
Remaining lease term, rent-to-revenue ratio, foot traffic, parking, and zoning all directly move the multiple.
Liquor License
A Type-47 or Type-48 ABC license can add $30K–$100K+ to enterprise value in San Diego depending on location.
Prime Cost
COGS + labor under 60% signals a healthy operation; over 70% drops your multiple a full point or more.
Owner Dependence
If you're the chef, the face, and the operator, buyers discount. Documented systems and trained managers preserve value.
Brand & Reviews
4.5+ star Google/Yelp ratings with 200+ reviews, plus owned social, justifies premium pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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