2026 Turning a Struggling Laguna Beach Restaurant Into a Success Story
Last year I got a call from a friend about a restaurant owner who was having a tough time and needed help. After talking to him, it was clear it was a partnership problem. Most of the time in these situations, I can't really help unless all the partners agree to sell.
It got even more complicated because one of the partners was actually the old owner. There was debt, and the place needed repairs that nobody was fixing. At that point, I just told them to talk to an attorney.
Like usual, getting an attorney involved just made things harder. Then at the start of this year, they called me again and wanted to meet. Now that both partners were finally on the same page and had bought out the other, they were ready to sell.
The spot was great, right in a prime part of Laguna Beach. But they just didn't know how to run the restaurant and couldn't keep it going.
While working on another restaurant sale, I had met one of the most impressive restaurateurs I had come across. He was one of the few operators doing well in a difficult economy. While many restaurants were struggling, his restaurant continued to increase in sales year after year, even though it was located in a less desirable area.
I knew right away this would be perfect for him.
He saw the potential right away and knew it was for him. It let him bring his concept from Orange over to Laguna Beach.
Today, it is one of the busiest restaurants in the area.
2025 Dog Grooming Business in Marina del Rey:
When I sold this business, it was in bad shape, just a few months from closing. Now, it is one of the top dog grooming shops in the area.
The business was being mismanaged. Almost every employee wanted to leave when I got involved. They no longer trusted the owner (seller), and the business was in trouble. Still, the business had great potential. The shop was in a good area with loyal customers who paid well and wanted quality. Price was not their main concern.
As the sale moved forward, the situation became more challenging. The business continued to decline until I arranged for the buyer and employees to meet and have an open conversation about everything. I was fortunate to find the right buyer for the business, and I believed that once the employees met him, things would start to work themselves out. It was not easy, but the employees stayed in the end.
The buyer already had a successful mobile dog grooming business. He was not looking to buy a shop, but his business had grown so much that he needed more space, more help, and a team. He was truly passionate about his work. You could tell he knew his calling was to help dogs. He genuinely cared, and it showed. He was also an expert dog groomer. In six months, he doubled sales. He bought new equipment, paid his best groomers more, and added new services like skin care for pets that needed it. The customers were thrilled, and it was very rewarding to be part of his success.
2023 Sale of a Matchmaking Agency for the Wealthy:
One of the best businesses I have ever sold, this business model is truly remarkable, boasting huge profit margins for a service-oriented venture. Operating within a distinct niche catering to the affluent, this matchmaking service stood out to me and those potential buyers as unexpected and innovative. Positioned as a virtual matchmaking service, it set itself apart from online dating trends, aligning with the evolving post-COVID dating landscape. The preferences of wealthy individuals made this business particularly lucrative within the dating scene. Recognizing the limitations of conventional online services, this business provided a solution akin to a personal executive recruiter. The business was sold to a Tech Guru from Silicon Valley, who, leveraging his background, instantly recognized its potential for expansion and acquired the business at full asking price.
2022 Sale of Business with Property:
I had the opportunity to sell a drive-thru restaurant along with a property that held tremendous potential. The location was strategically positioned on a bustling street in a prime area with minimal competition. The buyer, who initiated a property buying spree during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, already owned a successful drive-thru restaurant in Los Angeles. Remarkably, despite the pandemic's adversities, his sales nearly doubled.
However, with the lease term coming due, the situation took a challenging turn. The landlord exhibited greed and decided to capitalize on the business's success by significantly increasing the rent. This move made the owner uncomfortable and prompted a crucial decision – to own the properties where his businesses were located. As a result, he embarked on a venture and acquired four restaurant properties, with another one currently under development in Santa Ana. Witnessing this buyer's shrewd business acumen and being a part of building his restaurant real estate portfolio was a gratifying experience.
2017 and 2022 Sale of a Coffee Shop:
Selling a coffee shop was an emotionally nostalgic experience for me, as I also own one myself. The location of this coffee shop was simply ideal, featuring big windows and a corner setting on a lively street near the beach. I could envision owning such a coffee shop myself.
The new ownership of the coffee shop infused new life into the space, implementing creative ideas for revitalization, such as introducing a piano. This was particularly special to me since I had always dreamed of having a piano in my own coffee shop but lacked the space. Fortunately, the new owners fulfilled this dream and have even more exciting plans in store. They intend to host live bands, offering diverse music experiences to patrons. The owners themselves are former band members from Seatle, now operating as JugBand Coffee in Long Beach. You can find them at 2771 E Broadway Long Beach, CA 90803.
2020 Sale of a Busy Trucking Company:
In 2020, amid the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I facilitated the sale of a bustling trucking company that was in high demand but facing logistical challenges. The company's success had outpaced their warehouse capacity, leading them to resort to innovative solutions. They had to pitch tents around the facility to keep up with fulfillment demands. Despite these challenges, the company persevered.
Remarkably, three years later, the company expanded its operations significantly, with three facilities now operational. Moreover, they have ambitious plans to open another facility in Phoenix, Arizona, showcasing their remarkable growth and success.
Beneficial Restaurant Sale during COVID, 2020:
In the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was fortunate to be involved in a sale that had a profound positive impact on the Fullerton community. Casa Garcia, already renowned in Anaheim for its generous food donations at the Anaheim convention center, acquired a struggling restaurant and transformed it according to their own concept.
Their generosity shone through from the outset, as they immediately reached out to help those in need, including first responders, the local fire department, and police department. This goodwill generated incredible support, and within just a few months, lines began forming at the restaurant, resulting in sustained great business. Casa Garcia's efforts have had a heartwarming effect, solidifying their position as an exceptional establishment. You can visit them at 136 W Commonwealth Ave, Fullerton, CA 92832 – Garcia's South of The Border Cantina & Grill.
2018 Sale of Cappy's Café in Newport Beach:
Selling Cappy's Café in Newport Beach was an immensely rewarding experience, beyond just a successful business transaction. Both the seller and buyer were outstanding individuals to work with, displaying exceptional acumen in the business realm. The seller, a retired executive from a major tech company, and the buyers, who owned a prosperous seafood distribution business, made an exceptional team.
Under the new ownership, Cappy's Café underwent significant transformations, swiftly becoming one of the most sought-after breakfast spots in Newport Beach. The positive impact of this sale extended far beyond the transaction itself.
2017 Sale of a Tool and Machine Shop:
In 2017, I faced the challenge of selling a Tool and Machine Shop that was perceived by many as overpriced and difficult to sell. However, the shop had a unique value that some buyers failed to recognize – it was ISO 9001-2008 Registered. This crucial certification allowed the company to work with manufacturers engaged in government contracts, offering a significant advantage.
Eventually, I found a buyer who swiftly recognized the value of this certification. The sale was made at the full asking price, and the buyer made decisive moves to grow the business. Moving to a larger facility proved instrumental, catching the attention of none other than Space X. Today, the shop stands as one of the premier aerospace tool and die companies in Orange County, a testament to its remarkable transformation and success.
