How to Sell a Restaurant in Thailand
A Complete Guide for Restaurant Owners
Many restaurant owners in Thailand may find themselves thinking:
“I want to retire.”
“I want to start a new business.”
“I want to end a partnership.”
“My restaurant has been losing money, and I am considering selling it.”
However, most owners have never sold a business before.
As a result, they often have concerns such as:
- How much can I sell my restaurant for?
- What should I prepare before selling?
- What will happen to my employees?
- Will I be able to find a buyer?
In this guide, we explain the key points every restaurant owner should know before selling a restaurant in Thailand.
1. How Much Can a Restaurant Be Sold For?
One of the first questions most owners ask is about the selling price. The value of a restaurant is generally determined by several factors.
Location
For example:
- Near a BTS station
- Near an MRT station
- Inside a shopping mall
- Located in a tourist area
Restaurants in high-traffic locations are generally more attractive to buyers.
Condition of Equipment
If the kitchen equipment and furniture are in good condition and the restaurant can continue operating immediately, buyers will find it more appealing.
Revenue Performance
Restaurants with stable monthly revenue are usually valued more highly.
Profitability
Profitable restaurants naturally have an advantage.
However, even unprofitable restaurants can sometimes be sold if they have valuable assets such as a prime location or quality equipment.
2. What Do Buyers Look For?
Buyers are not simply looking to purchase a restaurant. They are evaluating whether the business is worth investing in.
The main factors they review include:
Monthly Revenue
Buyers typically examine revenue trends from the past 6–12 months.
Rent
They want to know whether the rent is reasonable compared to the revenue generated.
Employees
Experienced staff members can significantly increase the attractiveness of the business.
Lease Terms
Buyers will want to know whether the lease agreement can be transferred.
Competitive Environment
They may also assess whether new competitors are entering the area.
3. What Should You Prepare Before Selling?
Preparation is essential for a successful sale.
Organize Revenue Records
Buyers pay close attention to numbers.
Prepare your POS reports and sales records in advance.
Organize Expense Information
Prepare a summary of:
- Rent
- Payroll expenses
- Food and supply costs
- Utility bills
This makes the due diligence process much smoother.
Create an Equipment List
Prepare a detailed list including:
- Kitchen equipment
- Refrigerators
- Tables
- Chairs
- Air-conditioning units
This helps buyers evaluate the business more effectively.
Prepare Quality Photos
Clean and professional photos can significantly increase the number of inquiries you receive.
4. Can an Unprofitable Restaurant Still Be Sold?
The answer is yes.
In many cases, restaurants are sold because they offer:
- A desirable location
- Well-maintained equipment
- Attractive interior design
- Existing licenses and permits
Some buyers may believe:
“The current owner struggled, but I can improve the business.”
For that reason, a restaurant does not have to be profitable to attract buyers.
5. What Happens to the Employees?
This is one of the most common concerns among restaurant owners. The answer depends on the buyer.
Possible outcomes include:
- The buyer retains all employees
- The buyer retains only some employees
- The buyer hires an entirely new team
Experienced employees are often considered valuable assets, so many buyers prefer to keep them.
Before selling, it is a good idea to organize information regarding employee roles and compensation structures.
This can make negotiations much smoother.
6. What Happens to the Lease Agreement?
The lease agreement is one of the most important aspects of a restaurant sale.
Buyers want to know: “Can I continue operating in this location?”
Therefore, you should review:
- Remaining lease term
- Renewal conditions
- Whether the lease can be transferred
A good relationship with the landlord can also be a significant advantage.
7. How to Increase the Selling Price
If you want to maximize the value of your restaurant, consider the following:
Keep the Restaurant Clean
First impressions matter.
Organize Financial Records
Restaurants that can clearly demonstrate their revenue and performance tend to gain more buyer confidence.
Maintain Equipment
Repair broken equipment whenever possible.
Use High-Quality Photos
Attractive photos can increase buyer inquiries.
Set a Realistic Asking Price
Overpricing often reduces interest and delays a sale.
8. How to Find Buyers
Relying solely on friends or personal contacts can take a long time.
Today, many sellers use online business-for-sale platforms to reach potential buyers across Thailand.
The more buyers who see your listing, the greater your chances of successfully selling your restaurant.
9. How to Use Bizkaakai
Bizkaakai is a business-for-sale marketplace in Thailand.
In addition to restaurants, owners can list:
- Cafés
- Massage shops
- Beauty salons
- Hotels
- Retail stores
and many other types of businesses.
By listing your business on Bizkaakai, you can directly reach people who are actively looking to purchase a business.
Summary
Selling a restaurant is not unusual or complicated.
The key is to:
- Set a realistic selling price
- Organize revenue and equipment information
- Prepare clear information that helps buyers make decisions
If you are considering selling your restaurant in Thailand, start by organizing your business information and making it accessible to as many potential buyers as possible.
Looking to Sell Your Restaurant?
Why not list your restaurant on Bizkaakai and connect with potential buyers?
Bizkaakai Market Insights (As of June 2026)
According to Bizkaakai’s data from the past three years, restaurants, cafés, and bars have consistently been among the most active business-for-sale categories on the platform.
Over the past three years:
- More than 1,700 restaurant, café, and bar businesses were listed for sale.
- The average asking price for restaurant, café, and bar listings in Bangkok was approximately THB 620,000.
- The average asking price of Sold Out restaurant, café, and bar businesses was approximately THB 590,000.
- Listings ranged from small businesses valued at only a few tens of thousands of baht to larger businesses worth several million baht.
These figures show that selling a restaurant business is not uncommon in Thailand.
At the same time, business value is determined by more than just the industry category. Factors such as:
- Location
- Revenue
- Profitability
- Condition of equipment
- Brand reputation
- Customer base
can significantly affect the selling price.
Bizkaakai’s data also suggests that listings with well-organized business information, clear financial details, and high-quality photos tend to attract more buyer interest.
To maximize the chances of a successful sale, business owners should focus on realistic pricing and providing information that allows buyers to evaluate the opportunity with confidence.
Note
Bizkaakai was originally developed as a marketplace focused primarily on small businesses. As a result, until recently, the maximum asking price allowed for listings was THB 3 million. Therefore, much of the data collected over the past three years reflects transactions involving small to medium-sized businesses. As part of our platform expansion, the maximum listing price has now been increased to THB 30 million, allowing a wider range of industries and business sizes to be listed on the platform. As a result, we expect to see a broader variety of business opportunities and increasingly comprehensive market data in the years ahead.
Data source: Bizkaakai internal listing data (June 2023 – June 2026)
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