How do I find a poke restaurant for sale in Canada?

Poke shops are rarely filed under one tidy heading. A listing may call the business a quick-service restaurant, a healthy fast-food outlet, a bowl concept or a franchise unit, so a search for the single word poke can miss good shops. Decide whether you want an independent or a branded location, then search each neighbouring heading and save the searches so new postings reach you quickly.

Independents and franchise resales

An independent shop is usually listed by the owner or by a broker. A branded shop may be resold through the franchisor, which often keeps its own list of units for sale and may need to approve the buyer. Ask early what that approval involves. A related page covers what to check before buying a healthy fast-food franchise.

Where brokers fit in

Brokers who work in food service often hear about shops before they are posted publicly. Ask whom a broker represents, and treat the figures they give you as a starting point for your own checks. Be ready to sign a confidentiality agreement, since most owners share detail only after you do.

What the listing should tell you about the kitchen

Raw fish makes supply the first question. Ask who supplies the fish and the produce, whether supply is under written terms, and what happens to those terms when the shop changes hands. Ask who owns the recipes and sauces, and whether a franchisor controls the menu. Get an equipment list showing what is owned and what is leased.

• Which suppliers provide fish, rice and produce, and are they under contract?
• Who owns the recipes, the sauces and the brand?
• Is the equipment owned, leased or financed?
• How long does the lease run, and does the landlord need to consent to a sale?