Getting a liquor license can make or break a restaurant deal. The regulatory side of alcohol businesses is often the most challenging part for entrepreneurs, filled with complex bureaucracy, paperwork, and rules that most operators dread. Yet without proper navigation of the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) system, even the most promising restaurant transaction can stall for months or fall apart entirely.

In this episode, we're joined by Jemma Jorel Lester, a California hospitality licensing specialist who spent nearly a decade mastering ABC approvals before launching Proper Pour Company. Jemma shares her expertise on everything from timeline management to the five main reasons applications get denied, offering practical insights for both buyers and sellers navigating the transfer process.

Get full show notes, resources, transcript, and more information here: https://www.therestaurantsalesbroker.com/33.

What are the biggest challenges that can derail a restaurant deal? Restaurant transactions are complex, with multiple parties involved: buyers, sellers, landlords, lenders, and health departments. Any one of these parties hitting a snag can cause months of hard work to unravel in a matter of days. Having been both restaurant owners and now brokers, we understand the emotional and financial stakes that come with these deals.

In this special crossover episode with The Restaurant Dealmaker Show, we’re joined by Steve Zimmerman, a seasoned restaurant broker with years of experience in the industry. We share the strategies we use to keep deals on track, including how to manage buyer and seller expectations, navigate landlord negotiations, and handle the due diligence process. You’ll hear examples from real transactions, learn how to avoid the common pitfalls, and be better equipped to succeed in your own restaurant transaction.

Get full show notes, resources, transcript, and more information here: https://www.therestaurantsalesbroker.com/32.

What happens behind the scenes of a successful restaurant acquisition? In this episode, we explore the sale of Steins Beer Garden in Mountain View, where seasoned operator Ricky Singh shares how he navigated a competitive bidding process to acquire a well-established restaurant in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Ricky talks about his approach to buying existing restaurants with proven revenue, the value of keeping operations running during a sale, and why he sees established businesses as less risky than starting from scratch. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned restaurateur, Ricky’s insights into deal-making will be invaluable to anyone considering an acquisition in today’s market.

Get full show notes, resources, transcript, and more information here: https://www.therestaurantsalesbroker.com/31.