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This One Mistake Destroys Restaurant Valuations
This One Mistake Destroys Restaurant Valuations
Most restaurant owners think great food guarantees success.
It doesn’t.
In this episode of ROI Masterclass, Eric Gagnon, co-founder and president of We Sell Restaurants, the largest restaurant brokerage firm in the U.S. reveals what actually drives restaurant value, profitability, and successful exits.
After helping thousands of owners buy and sell restaurants, Eric breaks down the biggest mistakes that destroy valuations: overspending on build-outs, ignoring sales culture, discount addiction, poor systems, and emotional decision-making. He explains why perceived value equals real value, how storytelling can increase sales by 30–40%, and what makes a restaurant truly sellable.
If you’re operating, scaling, or planning to exit a restaurant, this conversation could save, or make, you millions.
:stopwatch: HIGH-IMPACT YOUTUBE CHAPTER TIMELINE
00:00 — From Corporate Banking to Restaurants
03:20 — The Leap From Corporate to Entrepreneur
06:40 — Starting a Brokerage From a Basement
10:30 — Why Rejection Fueled Growth
14:40 — Buyers vs Sellers: The Early Struggle
18:20 — Scaling, Franchising & Systems
22:40 — “You Can’t Improve What You Don’t Track”
27:10 — Why Most Owners Don’t Know Their Numbers
31:40 — Real-Time Accounting & Customer Data
36:20 — Why Sales Is the #1 Survival Skill
40:30 — Chick-fil-A vs Everyone Else
45:10 — Why Social Media Is NOT a Sales Tool
50:20 — Branding vs Discount Addiction
55:40 — How Storytelling Increases Sales 30–40%
1:01:10 — The Hidden Cost of Bad Decor Decisions
1:07:30 — The $1.4M Build-Out Disaster
1:13:40 — Testing Design Without Killing ROI
1:19:20 — Why Everyone Is in Sales (Even the Kitchen)
1:25:30 — How to Sell Food, Wine & Desserts Properly
1:32:10 — What Makes a Restaurant Truly Sellable
1:38:40 — Systems, Documentation & Exit Value
1:45:10 — Franchise Value vs Independent Restaurants
1:51:30 — AI, Efficiency & the Future of Restaurants
1:58:40 — Final Advice for Restaurant Owners
🎙 Eric Gagnon shares thoughts and experiences, offering valuable insights into why visual-driven buying is becoming the future of real estate.
The ROI Masterclass Podcast Playlists :point_down:LINK IN THE COMMENT
#RestaurantBusiness #RestaurantROI #HospitalityIndustry #RestaurantOwners #SellingARestaurant #FoodAndBeverage #RestaurantValuation #HospitalityLeadership #BusinessSystems #EntrepreneurMindset #WealthThroughBusiness #ROI Masterclass
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By Liat SiegelThis One Mistake Destroys Restaurant Valuations
Most restaurant owners think great food guarantees success.
It doesn’t.
In this episode of ROI Masterclass, Eric Gagnon, co-founder and president of We Sell Restaurants, the largest restaurant brokerage firm in the U.S. reveals what actually drives restaurant value, profitability, and successful exits.
After helping thousands of owners buy and sell restaurants, Eric breaks down the biggest mistakes that destroy valuations: overspending on build-outs, ignoring sales culture, discount addiction, poor systems, and emotional decision-making. He explains why perceived value equals real value, how storytelling can increase sales by 30–40%, and what makes a restaurant truly sellable.
If you’re operating, scaling, or planning to exit a restaurant, this conversation could save, or make, you millions.
:stopwatch: HIGH-IMPACT YOUTUBE CHAPTER TIMELINE
00:00 — From Corporate Banking to Restaurants
03:20 — The Leap From Corporate to Entrepreneur
06:40 — Starting a Brokerage From a Basement
10:30 — Why Rejection Fueled Growth
14:40 — Buyers vs Sellers: The Early Struggle
18:20 — Scaling, Franchising & Systems
22:40 — “You Can’t Improve What You Don’t Track”
27:10 — Why Most Owners Don’t Know Their Numbers
31:40 — Real-Time Accounting & Customer Data
36:20 — Why Sales Is the #1 Survival Skill
40:30 — Chick-fil-A vs Everyone Else
45:10 — Why Social Media Is NOT a Sales Tool
50:20 — Branding vs Discount Addiction
55:40 — How Storytelling Increases Sales 30–40%
1:01:10 — The Hidden Cost of Bad Decor Decisions
1:07:30 — The $1.4M Build-Out Disaster
1:13:40 — Testing Design Without Killing ROI
1:19:20 — Why Everyone Is in Sales (Even the Kitchen)
1:25:30 — How to Sell Food, Wine & Desserts Properly
1:32:10 — What Makes a Restaurant Truly Sellable
1:38:40 — Systems, Documentation & Exit Value
1:45:10 — Franchise Value vs Independent Restaurants
1:51:30 — AI, Efficiency & the Future of Restaurants
1:58:40 — Final Advice for Restaurant Owners
🎙 Eric Gagnon shares thoughts and experiences, offering valuable insights into why visual-driven buying is becoming the future of real estate.
The ROI Masterclass Podcast Playlists :point_down:LINK IN THE COMMENT
#RestaurantBusiness #RestaurantROI #HospitalityIndustry #RestaurantOwners #SellingARestaurant #FoodAndBeverage #RestaurantValuation #HospitalityLeadership #BusinessSystems #EntrepreneurMindset #WealthThroughBusiness #ROI Masterclass