How do I tell if a cooking school relies on a celebrity chef instructor?
Look at how the school markets itself and which classes sell out. If the name and face of one chef appears on most listings and bookings drop when that chef is absent, the school depends on a single person, and a buyer would inherit that risk.
Start with the marketing. Read the website, social media and class listings. Count how often one chef is named or pictured against the school itself. If the chef is the headline, the audience may be following a personality rather than a kitchen.
Then compare sales. Ask for booking numbers by class and by instructor. Look at what happened on days when another teacher led, or when the chef was away. Strong sales without the chef suggest the school has its own pull. Read reviews as well, and note how guests describe the school itself. When guests mention the chef by name in nearly every comment and rarely mention the school, enrolment may follow that person wherever they go.
Ask about the relationship. Is the chef an employee, a partner, or a contractor? Is there anything in writing about staying on after a sale? A famous instructor can leave on short notice and take followers with them, so have your lawyer review the arrangement. Finally, consider whether the school could carry on under a different face. Strong recipes, good facilities and a loyal customer base can help. Talk to regular students to hear why they come.
Key takeaways
- Check how often one chef features in the school’s marketing.
- Compare bookings on days led by other instructors, and read recent reviews.
- Clarify in writing whether the chef will stay after the sale.
- Read reviews to see whether guests mention the chef or the school.
Related reading
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentWhat are the steps to buying a business?
- 03Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentAfter buying a business, what is the next step?
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