What happens when a restaurant receives a Yelp review so ridiculous that it becomes an opportunity for a good laugh? For restaurant owners, online reviews can be frustrating, personal, and sometimes downright absurd. But knowing which feedback to take seriously and which to let go can make a big difference in how you run your business.

In this episode, we're joined by Chef Brenda, owner of Brenda's French Soul Food, to discuss her experience navigating Yelp reviews over nearly two decades in the restaurant industry. We talk about the outrageous review that recently went viral, how Brenda's approach to customer feedback has evolved, and why online reviews can be both helpful and harmful to restaurant owners.

Whether you're managing hundreds of reviews or dealing with your first negative one, this conversation offers a candid and entertaining look at the realities of online feedback. Tune in to hear how Brenda handles criticism, decides when a review deserves attention, and finds humor in some of the more ridiculous moments of restaurant ownership.

Get full show notes, resources, transcript, and more information here: https://www.therestaurantsalesbroker.com/62.

Brenda’s Viral Instagram Video:

https://www.instagram.com/reels/Dczha2UtEYm/

SFGATE Article:

https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/brendas-sf-yelp-22423318.php

Yahoo Article:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/videos/sf-chef-brendas-french-soul-161416523.html

If you’re considering selling your business and would like a free consultation, reach out to patrickAndAndy@therestaurantsalesbroker.com or visit TheRestaurantSalesBroker.com to learn more.

Restaurant Deal Making EXPOSED! is the go-to podcast for restaurant buyers, sellers, and operators navigating the complex world of buying and selling a restaurant business. Hosted by restaurant brokers Patrick Totah and Andy Mirabell, each episode delivers expert insights into buying an existing restaurant, selling a restaurant business, restaurant transactions, and the operational strategies that impact restaurant value. Whether you're buying a bar or restaurant, preparing to sell, or looking to maximize your business’s worth, this podcast gives you the insider knowledge you need to make smarter restaurant deals.

Most restaurant owners spend a lot of time thinking about how to open and grow a business, but what about how they eventually plan to leave it? A restaurant exit strategy isn't something to figure out only when you're ready to sell. The decisions you make along the way can have a major impact on what your business is worth when that time comes.

In this episode, we break down what goes into planning a restaurant exit strategy and why that plan should evolve alongside your business. We discuss how the way you enter the restaurant business can affect your eventual exit, what makes a restaurant more attractive to buyers, and why profitability, clean financials, a strong team, and the condition of the business all matter when it's time to sell.

Whether you're opening a restaurant, buying an existing business, or already thinking about your eventual exit, this episode offers a practical look at how to plan ahead. Tune in to learn why preparing for a future sale starts long before you're ready to sell and what restaurant owners can do now to put themselves in a stronger position later.

Get full show notes, resources, transcript, and more information here: https://www.therestaurantsalesbroker.com/61.

If you’re considering selling your business and would like a free consultation, reach out to patrickAndAndy@therestaurantsalesbroker.com or visit TheRestaurantSalesBroker.com to learn more.

Restaurant Deal Making EXPOSED! is the go-to podcast for restaurant buyers, sellers, and operators navigating the complex world of buying and selling a restaurant business. Hosted by restaurant brokers Patrick Totah and Andy Mirabell, each episode delivers expert insights into buying an existing restaurant, selling a restaurant business, restaurant transactions, and the operational strategies that impact restaurant value. Whether you're buying a bar or restaurant, preparing to sell, or looking to maximize your business’s worth, this podcast gives you the insider knowledge you need to make smarter restaurant deals.

What financial mistakes could be quietly costing your restaurant thousands of dollars? Even when sales look strong, poor cost tracking, unchecked expenses, and financial habits that seem small in the moment can add up quickly and make it harder to see when your business is heading in the wrong direction.

In this episode, we're joined by returning guest Dan Engel, restaurant accountant and owner of Engel Accounting, to break down some of the most expensive mistakes he sees restaurant owners make. We discuss where owners commonly lose track of their money, which costs deserve closer attention, and why understanding your numbers gives you a chance to make changes before it's too late.

Whether you're running an established restaurant or evaluating the financial health of a business you want to buy, this conversation offers a practical look at the numbers behind restaurant profitability. Tune in to learn which financial habits can hurt your bottom line and where restaurant owners should be paying closer attention.

Get full show notes, resources, transcript, and more information here: https://www.therestaurantsalesbroker.com/60.

If you’re considering selling your business and would like a free consultation, reach out to patrickAndAndy@therestaurantsalesbroker.com or visit TheRestaurantSalesBroker.com to learn more.

Restaurant Deal Making EXPOSED! is the go-to podcast for restaurant buyers, sellers, and operators navigating the complex world of buying and selling a restaurant business. Hosted by restaurant brokers Patrick Totah and Andy Mirabell, each episode delivers expert insights into buying an existing restaurant, selling a restaurant business, restaurant transactions, and the operational strategies that impact restaurant value. Whether you're buying a bar or restaurant, preparing to sell, or looking to maximize your business’s worth, this podcast gives you the insider knowledge you need to make smarter restaurant deals.

When negotiating a restaurant deal, how do you know when to stand your ground and when to let something go? Buyers can spend so much time negotiating small details that they risk losing sight of the issues that can actually affect the success of the business.

In this episode, we break down what really matters when negotiating a restaurant acquisition and where buyers can sometimes go too far. We look at the difference between protecting your interests and overnegotiating, why it's important to consider the deal from both sides, and the five things buyers should prioritize during a transaction.

Whether you're buying your first restaurant or your fifth, knowing what deserves your attention can help you avoid unnecessary disputes and make stronger decisions throughout the process. Tune in for practical advice on approaching negotiations with realistic expectations and recognizing when pushing for more could put a good opportunity at risk.

Get full show notes, resources, transcript, and more information here: https://www.therestaurantsalesbroker.com/59.

If you’re considering selling your business and would like a free consultation, reach out to patrickAndAndy@therestaurantsalesbroker.com or visit TheRestaurantSalesBroker.com to learn more.

Restaurant Deal Making EXPOSED! is the go-to podcast for restaurant buyers, sellers, and operators navigating the complex world of buying and selling a restaurant business. Hosted by restaurant brokers Patrick Totah and Andy Mirabell, each episode delivers expert insights into buying an existing restaurant, selling a restaurant business, restaurant transactions, and the operational strategies that impact restaurant value. Whether you're buying a bar or restaurant, preparing to sell, or looking to maximize your business’s worth, this podcast gives you the insider knowledge you need to make smarter restaurant deals.

What happens when the business you built for freedom starts controlling your life instead? Many restaurant and franchise owners find themselves working long hours, making every decision, and feeling like they can never truly step away. In this episode, we look at how owners can get out of that cycle and build a business that works for them.

We’re joined by business coach, speaker, and former multi-unit franchise executive Mike DeJong to discuss what he calls the “operator trap.” We explore the importance of systems, delegation, developing the right people, and defining what freedom actually looks like for you. Mike also shares his own experiences as a franchise owner and why having systems in place doesn’t automatically mean a business can run without you.

Whether you own a restaurant, operate a franchise, or are considering buying a business, this conversation offers practical guidance for building something that doesn’t depend on you for every decision. We also discuss how owner dependence can affect the value of a business and why thinking about your eventual exit should start long before you’re ready to sell.

Get full show notes, resources, transcript, and more information here: https://www.therestaurantsalesbroker.com/58.

If you’re considering selling your business and would like a free consultation, reach out to patrickAndAndy@therestaurantsalesbroker.com or visit TheRestaurantSalesBroker.com to learn more.

Restaurant Deal Making EXPOSED! is the go-to podcast for restaurant buyers, sellers, and operators navigating the complex world of buying and selling a restaurant business. Hosted by restaurant brokers Patrick Totah and Andy Mirabell, each episode delivers expert insights into buying an existing restaurant, selling a restaurant business, restaurant transactions, and the operational strategies that impact restaurant value. Whether you're buying a bar or restaurant, preparing to sell, or looking to maximize your business’s worth, this podcast gives you the insider knowledge you need to make smarter restaurant deals.

What does it mean to sell a restaurant that has been part of a community for 50 years? For Dennis and Bill, owners of Orphan Andy's, the decision marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter. In this episode, they reflect on the journey of building one of the city's most beloved diners and what it means to pass that legacy on.

We're joined by Dennis and Bill to look back on the story of Orphan Andy's, from its beginnings in the late 1970s to becoming a 24-hour institution that welcomed generations of customers. They share memories of the Castro through the decades, the challenges of running a restaurant through changing times, the importance of community, and what they looked for when choosing the next owner of the restaurant.

Whether you're building a business for the long term or preparing to pass it on, this conversation offers a thoughtful perspective on restaurant ownership, legacy, and creating something that lasts well beyond your time behind the counter.

Get full show notes, resources, transcript, and more information here: https://www.therestaurantsalesbroker.com/57.

If you’re considering selling your business and would like a free consultation, reach out to patrickAndAndy@therestaurantsalesbroker.com or visit TheRestaurantSalesBroker.com to learn more.

Restaurant Deal Making EXPOSED! is the go-to podcast for restaurant buyers, sellers, and operators navigating the complex world of buying and selling a restaurant business. Hosted by restaurant brokers Patrick Totah and Andy Mirabell, each episode delivers expert insights into buying an existing restaurant, selling a restaurant business, restaurant transactions, and the operational strategies that impact restaurant value. Whether you're buying a bar or restaurant, preparing to sell, or looking to maximize your business’s worth, this podcast gives you the insider knowledge you need to make smarter restaurant deals.

Have you ever wondered why buying or selling a restaurant takes so much longer than expected? While many people assume a deal can close within a few weeks, restaurant transactions involve multiple parties, approvals, and milestones that can significantly extend the timeline.

In this episode, we break down the restaurant transaction timeline from the moment a buyer and seller reach an agreement through due diligence, lease approval, escrow, liquor license transfers, and closing. We also explain the controllable and uncontrollable factors that can affect a transaction and why setting realistic expectations is essential for everyone involved.

Whether you're buying your first restaurant or preparing to sell an existing business, this episode walks you through what to expect at every stage of the transaction. Understanding the process can help you plan ahead, avoid surprises, and keep your deal moving forward.

Get full show notes, resources, transcript, and more information here: https://www.therestaurantsalesbroker.com/56.

If you’re considering selling your business and would like a free consultation, reach out to patrickAndAndy@therestaurantsalesbroker.com or visit TheRestaurantSalesBroker.com to learn more.

Restaurant Deal Making EXPOSED! is the go-to podcast for restaurant buyers, sellers, and operators navigating the complex world of buying and selling a restaurant business. Hosted by restaurant brokers Patrick Totah and Andy Mirabell, each episode delivers expert insights into buying an existing restaurant, selling a restaurant business, restaurant transactions, and the operational strategies that impact restaurant value. Whether you're buying a bar or restaurant, preparing to sell, or looking to maximize your business’s worth, this podcast gives you the insider knowledge you need to make smarter restaurant deals.

What do restaurant owners need to know about insurance in today’s market? From rising premiums and stricter coverage requirements to wildfire risk and liquor liability, securing the right policy has become more complicated than ever. In this episode, we break down the key insurance issues restaurant owners, buyers, and operators should understand before problems arise.

We’re joined by Greg Gurovich, co-founder and managing broker of OnMarket Insurance Associates, to discuss how restaurant insurance has changed in California and what operators should be paying attention to today. We cover everything from property and liability coverage to workers’ compensation, liquor liability, lease requirements, and the factors that can affect both coverage and cost.

Whether you’re opening your first restaurant, buying an existing business, or reviewing your current policies, this conversation provides practical guidance for navigating today’s restaurant insurance market.

Get full show notes, resources, transcript, and more information here: https://www.therestaurantsalesbroker.com/55.

If you’re considering selling your business and would like a free consultation, reach out to patrickAndAndy@therestaurantsalesbroker.com or visit TheRestaurantSalesBroker.com to learn more.

Restaurant Deal Making EXPOSED! is the go-to podcast for restaurant buyers, sellers, and operators navigating the complex world of buying and selling a restaurant business. Hosted by restaurant brokers Patrick Totah and Andy Mirabell, each episode delivers expert insights into buying an existing restaurant, selling a restaurant business, restaurant transactions, and the operational strategies that impact restaurant value. Whether you're buying a bar or restaurant, preparing to sell, or looking to maximize your business’s worth, this podcast gives you the insider knowledge you need to make smarter restaurant deals.