Sell Your Coffee Shop or Cafe in San Diego
Brokerage for independent cafes, roasters, and multi-unit coffee operators across San Diego County.
Licensed California Business Broker • 100% Confidential • No Upfront Fees
San Diego's coffee scene is one of the most competitive in the country — which means buyers are sophisticated and pricing is unforgiving. Whether you're operating a single neighborhood cafe in North Park or a 3-location roaster in Encinitas, Exit Clue knows how to package your wholesale accounts, retail margins, lease economics, and brand equity into a story that commands a premium. We've sold cafes from $200K to $3M+ in enterprise value across San Diego County.
Coffee Shop Valuation Multiples (San Diego)
| Metric | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SDE Multiple | 2.0x – 3.0x | Owner-operator single-location cafes |
| EBITDA Multiple | 3.0x – 4.5x | Multi-unit or roaster + cafe combos |
| Revenue Multiple | 0.35x – 0.55x | Sanity check only |
What Drives the Sale Price of a Coffee Shop
Wholesale vs. Retail Mix
Cafes with 30%+ wholesale roasted-bean revenue carry higher multiples than pure retail because revenue is more diversified.
Lease Terms
10+ years of remaining lease in a high-traffic San Diego location dramatically widens the buyer pool.
Equipment
Modern espresso machines (La Marzocco, Slayer), pour-over setups, and roasters in good condition preserve value.
Brand & Roasting IP
Owned roasting recipes, signed barista talent, and an Instagram presence add equity.
Owner Hours
If you're pulling 60-hour weeks behind the bar, buyers discount. Documented systems matter.
Who Buys Coffee Shops in San Diego?
- •First-time owner-operators with hospitality experience
- •Existing cafe operators expanding to San Diego
- •Roasters seeking retail outlets
- •SBA-financed individual buyers
Our 4-Step Process to Sell Your Coffee Shop
- Step 1
Free Valuation
We analyze 3 years of your financials, normalize for owner add-backs, and apply current San Diego market multiples to deliver a defensible value range.
- Step 2
Confidential Listing
Blind teaser, NDA-gated marketing on broker networks, BizBuySell, and our private buyer list. Your staff and customers never know.
- Step 3
Buyer Vetting & Offers
We pre-qualify every buyer for proof of funds, SBA eligibility, and industry fit before they ever see your name. You only meet serious buyers.
- Step 4
Diligence to Close
We coordinate the full diligence process — financial review, lease assignment, licensing, attorney/CPA hand-offs — through a clean closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sell your coffee shop confidentially.
Get a free, no-obligation valuation from a licensed San Diego business broker. 100% confidential.