What should I ask about the sushi chef who actually makes the rolls?
Ask whether customers come for the restaurant or for the chef. Find out who the chef is, how long they have been there, whether they plan to stay, and whether the methods are written down or only in their head. A sushi bar with one irreplaceable chef carries a different risk than one with a trained team.
Begin by asking who makes the rolls on a typical shift and who trained them. If one chef does most of the work and has a following, ask the seller whether that chef intends to stay under a new owner. Meet them, with the seller’s agreement, before you commit. Their plans matter more than any promise made on their behalf.
Then ask about the knowledge in the kitchen. Are rice preparation, cutting standards, sauces and portion sizes written down? Could a second cook step in during a day off? Watch a busy service and see how the line works, and how the chef handles pressure when orders stack up.
Ask how the chef is paid and whether there are any arrangements about bonuses, housing, work authorization or notice. Those belong to an employment lawyer, so bring yours in early. If the chef is also a relative or partner of the seller, ask how that changes after the sale. Do not assume the chef will come with the business; plan for the case where they leave. Ask the seller whether customers have ever asked for the chef by name, and how often that happens in an ordinary week.
Key takeaways
- Meet the chef before closing, with the seller’s agreement.
- Ask whether the methods are written down or only remembered.
- Ask your lawyer about the chef’s pay and any informal arrangements.
- Plan for the chef leaving, and see who could step in.
Related reading
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Selling
Tax
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?
- 03Restaurants CanadaIndustryRestaurants Canada - The Voice of Foodservice
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