About buying existing restaurants

When opening a restaurant, buying a existing restaurant makes the most economic sense and is the most ideal option for first time restaurant owner. However, it gets tricky when selecting the right restaurant to buy. Here are some guidelines:

1. Is the exhaust hood still in good condition?
   Is the size good enough to serve your future business?
   Note: changing the exhaust hood is costly and can eat up a good portion of your budget.
2. Are there enough sinks?
   The health department requires at minimum of (1) hand sink, (1) mop sink, (1) three-compartment sink and (1) prep sink and more depending upon the type of operation.
3. Are the restrooms up to ADA code?
   Building new ADA restrooms is costly; finding existing spaces with ADA restrooms could save you a lot of money.
4. How are the conditions of the existing equipments?
   Who is disposing the unwanted equipments?
5. Is there a grease trap?
6. How long ago was the site remodeled?
   Was it remodeled with the right permits?

Give the site credits as it meets each of the conditions mentioned above. The more conditions met, the more desirable is the site.