Shops and franchises for sale
Shops, retail chains and operating franchise units looking for a buyer, with the accounts and licences reviewed.
No retail deals listed right now
Retail transfers close quickly and many are never listed. Register stating your area and budget and we will let you know as soon as something comes in.
Join the investor networkTransferring a shop or a franchise unit
The lease is half the business
In retail the transfer value is heavily determined by the lease: how many years are left, whether the rent is above or below market, whether the contract allows assignment and whether the landlord is entitled to share in the transfer price or raise the rent when the tenant changes.
Premises with an old rent and a long lease can be worth more for the contract itself than for the business inside. Conversely, a lease about to expire turns any projection into an act of faith. It is the first thing we look at.
What is particular about a franchise unit
Transferring a franchise adds one more party to the table: the franchisor, who almost always has to approve the buyer and may reserve a right of first refusal.
- Remaining term of the franchise agreement and renewal conditions
- Entry fee payable by the new franchisee and ongoing royalties
- The franchisor right to approve or pre-empt the buyer
- Refurbishment investment the brand will require after the change of holder
- Recognised exclusivity area and how long it runs
Questions about retail and franchise transfers
What is the difference between a transfer and a share sale?
In a transfer the elements of the business change hands — premises, licence, fittings, clientele — and the landlord consent is usually required. In a share sale the shares are transferred and the business stays with the same company, which avoids renegotiating contracts but passes the tax and employment history to the buyer. The choice depends on what lies underneath.
Can I transfer my premises if the lease forbids it?
If the contract excludes assignment, it has to be negotiated with the landlord. In leases for uses other than housing, Spanish law recognises in certain cases a right to assign the contract, with the effect of allowing the landlord to raise the rent. This is a conversation best had before looking for a buyer, not once one is waiting.
Can the franchisor veto the buyer?
In practice, almost always. Most franchise agreements condition assignment on franchisor approval and some grant a right of first refusal. Factoring that in from the start avoids closing a deal that then cannot be executed.
How is a shop valued?
By combining normalised recurring profit with the value of the lease, the equipment and the licences. In small shops the weight of the rent and the location is usually greater than that of the result itself, especially where the rent is well below market.