How do I find a taco shop or burrito restaurant for sale in Canada?

Taco shops and burrito counters are listed in different places depending on how they are owned. A franchised unit usually changes hands through the franchisee or the brand, while an independent taqueria is more likely to sit on a listing site or with a broker. Decide which pool you want first, because the search, the paperwork and the people you speak to are not the same.

Franchise resales of taco and burrito brands

Existing franchisees sometimes sell a unit quietly, and some franchisors keep a list of units for resale or a contact who handles it. Start by asking the brand’s franchising office whether resale units exist and how a buyer is introduced. Brand names are useful search terms, but a listing is only a lead. Confirm with the franchisor that the unit is genuinely for sale and who may approve a buyer.

Independent taquerias and Tex-Mex rooms

Independent owners tend to list with a broker, on a listing site, or sell by word of mouth to staff, suppliers or regulars. Walk the neighbourhoods you like and ask. A taqueria run by a family may never be advertised. A larger Tex-Mex room with a bar is a different kind of business, so keep the two apart when you compare listings.

Search words beyond “Mexican”

• Taqueria, taco shop, burrito bar and burrito counter.
• Tex-Mex, cantina and Mexican grill.
• Quick service restaurant or fast casual, which also catches units that changed concept.
• Restaurant for lease or conversion, since a former Mexican unit may suit your plan.

Brokers and who they act for

Brokers are a normal route to listings, and many know which owners may sell before a unit is advertised. Ask any broker whom they act for in a deal, in writing. Ask how the broker handles advice to you as a buyer. For the next step, see what to check before buying a Mexican restaurant.