How to Sell a Restaurant or Pizzeria in 2026: Practical Guide, Valuation, and Documents

How to Sell a Restaurant or Pizzeria in 2026: Practical Guide

The restaurant sector in Italia is a vibrant market, with frequent business sales. However, selling a restaurant or pizzeria has specific characteristics that go far beyond the simple transfer of a company. Careful consideration must be given to employees, professional equipment, food licenses, and often a local brand that has been carefully built over the years.

Correctly Valuing Your Restaurant: The EBITDA Method

One of the most used methods for valuing a restaurant is the calculation based on the multiple of EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization). Here is an overview:

• Restaurant with full occupancy and consolidated brand: 3–5x EBITDA

• Average restaurant with good location: 2–3x EBITDA

• Business with few years of history or reduced margins: 1–2x EBITDA

For example, a restaurant with an EBITDA of €70,000 and a good reputation in the area could be valued between €150,000 and €340,000, equipment included. The location, of course, plays a crucial role. A venue located in the city center or in a tourist area can be worth 50% to 100% more than an equivalent one located on the outskirts.

Essential Documents for the Sale

Before even publishing a sales ad, make sure you have these documents on hand:

• Financial statements for the last 3 financial years (or, alternatively, the Unico/CU models)

• Lease agreement, paying particular attention to deadlines and conditions

• Detailed inventory of all equipment: ovens, refrigerators, extraction system, furnishings, etc.

• Complete list of personnel, indicating contractual levels and seniority

• All necessary licenses: health authorization, SCIA for the administration of food and beverages, any licenses for the sale of alcohol

• Any existing agreements with suppliers, trademark registration (if present), contracts with delivery platforms

Licenses in the Restaurant Sector: What to Know

The sale of a restaurant involves the transfer of municipal authorizations. The specific procedure varies from Comune to Comune, but in general:

• The buyer must submit a SCIA of subrogation to the Sportello Unico per le Attività Produttive (SUAP).

• The buyer must meet the required moral and professional requirements (for example, the SAB course – Somministrazione Alimenti e Bevande).

• The health authorizations relating to the kitchen are linked to the premises, but must be updated with the details of the new owner.

Important: The license for the sale of alcohol (L. 626) may not be transferable in some Comuni. Always verify this information in advance.

Management of Employees During the Transition

The transfer of a company is not equivalent to a dismissal. Article 47 of L. 428/1990 establishes that:

• Existing employment contracts are automatically transferred to the buyer, guaranteeing the continuity of the employment relationship.

• If the company has more than 15 employees, it is mandatory to communicate the transfer to the trade unions in advance.

• The buyer can, in agreement with the employees, agree on incentives for voluntary redundancy before closing.

It is common practice to provide a period of shadowing (usually 2-4 weeks) during which the seller supports the new owner, introducing them to the staff and regular customers.

Mistakes to Avoid in Selling Your Restaurant

Here are some common mistakes that can compromise the sale:

• Attributing excessive value to the "brand" without supporting data: a locally known name has value, but must be justified by concrete data (turnover, average number of covers, positive reviews).

• Not considering debts to suppliers: trade debts must be declared and managed before closing, otherwise the buyer may take action against the seller.

• Ignoring the condition of the systems: an obsolete extraction system or a refrigerator cell to be replaced decreases the real value of the restaurant and often emerges during due diligence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling a Restaurant

Can I sell the restaurant even if I am renting? Yes, but it is essential to obtain the consent of the property owner for the subrogation in the lease agreement. Many commercial contracts include a landlord approval clause.

What happens if I have debts with the Agenzia delle Entrate? The seller is personally responsible for tax debts. The buyer, during due diligence, will request a certificate of tax regularity (visura carichi pendenti) before closing.

How long does a negotiation for the sale of a restaurant take? On average, from 2 to 5 months from the first contact to the notarial deed. The fastest negotiations (about 1 month) occur when the seller and buyer use the advice of experienced professionals.

Is a notary required to sell a restaurant? Yes, the transfer of a company (even as a branch of a company) requires a public deed or an authenticated private deed, with subsequent filing with the Registro delle Imprese within 30 days.

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