How long should a restaurant seller train me after the sale?
There is no fixed length; it should match what you do not yet know. List what you need to learn, from recipes to suppliers to staff, then agree a schedule that covers it. Put the duration, hours and scope in the purchase agreement.
Begin with an honest list of your gaps. If you have never run a kitchen, you will need more than someone who has. Group the list: food and recipes, ordering and suppliers, scheduling and staff, cash handling and systems, and relationships with regular guests and neighbours. Ask the seller to walk through each area while the restaurant is running, not just at a desk. A week on the floor teaches more than a binder. Ask them to introduce you to suppliers, key staff and regulars, and to leave written recipes and prep sheets.
Consider whether the seller will be paid for the time, how many hours they will give each week, and what happens if they are unavailable. Your lawyer can put these terms in writing and say what the seller must do if the training falls short. Plan for a taper. Full-time help at first, then check-ins, then a phone number you can call. Treat it as part of the deal, not a favour. Write down what you learn each day, and review the notes with the seller so gaps are caught while they are still reachable.
Key takeaways
- List what you need to learn before asking for a schedule.
- Prefer training on the floor over meetings at a desk.
- Put hours, scope and payment for training in the agreement.
- Ask the seller to introduce you to suppliers and regulars.
Related reading
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Selling
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Succession
Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentUnderstanding post-merger operational integration
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentMajor pitfalls to avoid when negotiating a purchase agreement
- 03Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
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