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Features to Look for in a Building When You’re Buying Your First Restaurant

Features to Look for in a Building When You're Buying Your First Restaurant

When you’re buying your first restaurant in the Florida Keys, here’s what you need to watch for as far as features go.

Features to Look for in a Building When You’re Buying Your First Restaurant

If you’re interested in opening your first restaurant, you have a lot of research that you need to do. Starting a restaurant is a big endeavor, and running a successful restaurant over the long term is even more challenging. Choosing the building is one of the more important aspects of starting a successful restaurant business, so here are a few features that you should look for when finding a building to buy or lease.

Know Your Concept and Layout Needs

One of the most important parts about choosing a building is having a strong understanding of the concept of your restaurant. You can have a full-service restaurant, a fast food restaurant, a diner, a supper club, and several other types of restaurants. Each one will need a slightly different layout, and you’ll have to know what it will take to convert the existing building into the type of restaurant that you’re opening.

Look for a Solid Structure, Electrical and Plumbing

While cosmetic updates can get pricey, structural, electrical, and plumbing issues can be very expensive, and you need to fix them immediately so that you’re up to code. Employ an inspector who’s knowledgeable about restaurant buildings, and start adding up the costs as they find issues about the building that you’ll need to address. In a restaurant, especially, this will also include the ventilation, air conditioner, and heating system, too.

Kitchen Space

People who have worked in the restaurant industry know that having a functional kitchen is one of the best ways to ensure great customer service. Ensure that you have enough freezer and cooler space that you’ll be able to purchase enough food for at least a couple of weeks into the future. Also, if you think that you’ll need to reconfigure the kitchen, make sure that you’ll still have plenty of space for cooks to prepare food efficiently. You’ll also want plenty of storage space for dry goods. In fact, a separate room is ideal.

Features That Comply With Building Codes

When you’re buying a restaurant building, you’ll be serving the public, so learn about fire codes and ADA compliance for restaurants in the area that you live in. For instance, if there are stairs in front of the building, you’ll need a ramp for people in wheelchairs. There are numerous laws that you’ll need to comply with, and they can vary by your location, so a little bit of research can save you a lot of money in renovation costs.

Hot Key West Business Opportunities

101600 Overseas Highway $20,000,000

101600 Overseas Highway KEY LARGO, Florida

3 Beds 3 Baths 3,717 SqFt

139 Seaside Avenue $10,500,000

139 Seaside Avenue KEY LARGO, Florida

5 Beds 7 Baths 6,740 SqFt

5730 4Th Avenue $9,995,000

5730 4Th Avenue Stock Island, Florida

9 Baths 6,444 SqFt

1622 Overseas Highway $9,900,000

1622 Overseas Highway MARATHON, Florida

3,400 SqFt

12685 Overseas Highway $8,500,000

12685 Overseas Highway MARATHON, Florida

5,607 SqFt

517 Duval & 518 Bahama Street $7,500,000

517 Duval & 518 Bahama Street KEY WEST, Florida

4 Baths 7,854 SqFt

3428 Roosevelt Boulevard N 1,2,3,4,5,6 $5,995,000

3428 Roosevelt Boulevard N 1,2,3,4,5,6 KEY WEST, Florida

7 Baths 8,046 SqFt

$5,250,000

Key Largo, Florida

2 Baths 4,680 SqFt

96180 Overseas Highway $4,900,000

96180 Overseas Highway KEY LARGO, Florida

3 Beds 3 Baths 1,445 SqFt 0.960 Acres

919 - 921 Duval Street $3,750,000

919 - 921 Duval Street KEY WEST, Florida

9 Beds 6 Baths 4,173 SqFt

101350 Overseas Highway $3,250,000

101350 Overseas Highway KEY LARGO, Florida

2 Baths 6,674 SqFt

1100 Indies Drive S $2,725,000

1100 Indies Drive S Duck, Florida

4 Beds 4 Baths 3,402 SqFt 0.290 Acres

100150 Overseas Highway $2,400,000

100150 Overseas Highway KEY LARGO, Florida

2,436 SqFt

352 Seaview Drive E $2,200,000

352 Seaview Drive E Duck, Florida

2 Beds 3 Baths 1,440 SqFt 0.190 Acres

218 Bristol Court $1,999,000

218 Bristol Court Tavernier, Florida

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,628 SqFt 0.150 Acres

Are You Looking for Commercial Property in the Florida Keys?

Use our site to search commercial real estate in Key West and all of the Florida Keys. Unlike the “big name” sites out there, our site is directly connected to our local MLS and is updated with new properties every HOUR. By creating a Property Manager account you can stay on top of the newest businesses that go up on the market and get Price Change alerts so you can stay ahead of other buyers and beat them to the best deals!

In the meantime, check out these 1-click searches:

  • All Businesses for Sale
  • Office Buildings
  • Hotels, Motels & Bed & Breakfasts
  • Bars & Restaurants
  • Marinas for Sale in Key West
  • Investment Properties
  • Business Opportunities

Newest Key West Commercial Properties on the Market

Offices on Eaton Street located in downtown Key West. If you are looking for a small private office join the friendly business environment at Key West Theater catering to local small business owners. Office 215 is a corner office with a large open space and close, approximately 320sq.ft.  Wifi, electric and water included, sales tax is in addition to the monthly rent quoted. $1,400 Active

524 Eaton Street 215 KEY WEST, Florida

2 Baths

2nd Story lease space suitable for office/work shop/storage in a 9 unit compound on Stock Island. Large front room with built in cabinets, 2nd smaller room for storage, additional office space and a half bathroom. Secure fenced lot, an off street parking space and circular drive for truck delivery or pick up. Rent includes utilities. First, Last and Security (one month rent) will move you in. $1,745.79 Active

5625 2Nd Avenue UP Stock Island, Florida

6,219 SqFt

Retail Space available in one of Key West's three major power centers. Overseas Market boasts one of the most desirable tenant bases on the island with Winn-Dixie, Denny's, Ross, CVS Drugstores, Verizon, GNC, Goldman's Deli, BodyZone, AutoZone, Five Guys, Dominos and more... There is ample parking & traffic light entry into the shopping center. Monthly rent quoted is Base Rent Only, in addition are triple net charges and sales tax. $4,083.33 Active

2730 Roosevelt Boulevard N KEY WEST, Florida

1 Baths 178,707 SqFt

Commercial Space Directly in the Middle of Gulfside Village. Triple Net Long Term Lease with existing Verizon Wireless tenants. Excellent Visibility! Excellent Rental History! Gulfside Village offers ample parking spaces, clean shopping center and friendly retail owners. Unit 21 has 1,860 sq feet of space, half bathroom and large storage/office area in the back of the store. Please DO NOT DISTURB the existing tenants/company. $600,000 Active

5800 Overseas Highway 21 MARATHON, Florida

1 Baths 1,860 SqFt

View All

Posted in: Buyers, Buying Commercial Real Estate, Buying Tips, Restaurants & Bars Tagged: Bar, Buying a Commercial Building, Buying a Restaurant, Concept, Electrical, Layout, Plumbing, Restaurant, Structure

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Key West Office

RE/MAX ALL KEYS REAL ESTATE
305-296-1400 Office

Business Address:
517 Duval St Suite 200, Key West, FL 33040

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RE/MAX ALL KEYS REAL ESTATE
305-451-0060 Office

Business Address:
98880 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037

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Business Address:
11010 SW 88th St. Ste. 200, Miami, FL 33176

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33040, 33043, 33042, 33050, 33036, 33037
Key West, Stock Island, Big Pine Keys, Marathon, Islamorada, Key Largo

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