Hi,
We are planning to open a restaurant in Bern. Finding a location has been a problem. We tried internet but either restaurants are too expensive to buy or there are fake sellers.

• Has anyone on EF got permission for restaurant ? how difficult is process?
• Can we speak to any space owner and get him agreed to convert his space to a restaurant ?
• What are the best method to find restaurant seller ?

Thanks for your time.

If you haven't done so already, you might want to review the GastroSuisse association website for information and consider becoming a member as possible. The association has a legal service for members and also offers training courses. The website lists several restaurants for sale in Bern:

http://www.gastrosuisse.ch/de/gastrosuisse/?

http://map.search.ch/Courlevon,Haupt...,viasuisse,zug

There is an empty restaurant in 1795 Courlevon, near Murten. For many years it was a Chinese, then it closed. An experienced Italian restaurateur opened it for a year, and it was very busy. Then the owner raised the rent and the restaurateur closed it down. It is on the main road between Fribourg and Murten, maybe it can seat 50 people.

http://tel.local.ch/de/q?what=&where=Courlevon&rid=B1tm

This is the Italian restaurateur which opened the place in Courlevon for a year, http://tel.local.ch/de/d/Sugiez/1786...2C+1786+Sugiez

Someone involved will likely need a Swiss "Wirtepatent" to be licensed. Look at www.wirtepatent.ch You'll have to pass a test, not difficult but needs some time and attention if you don't have experience or on-the-job training.

For list of potential places to buy or take over, try
www.gastro-express.ch, under "immobiiengesuche"

Best of luck to you!

Hi,

You may want to advertise in Amtsblatt in Bern. It is normally accessed by most entrepreneurs and possible buyer/sellers. Good Luck.

http://www.sta.be.ch/

Regards
Tink

Thanks for location, however its too far for me. I am living in Bern city central. Any location around that would be good.

It's not down to the landlord but the city. Premises that have permission for gastro activity usually attract much higher rents and "key money". To get a change of use from normal retail/office to gastro will be very difficult.

The question is also: do you want just want to open a restaurant or do you want to successfully operate one?

I would walk around the city and actually look for vacant/closed restaurants.
Then, use the internet to see which companies have offices around that place, to see if you have many potential lunch-customers (larger companies might have their own canteen, smaller ones usually don't).
Also consider, how well it's reachable via public transport after 21:00.


I just looked at your profile page.
So you work in IT, but want to open a restaurant?

I work in IT, too and like to cook (for myself) but I know better than opening a restaurant ;-)

Yes I work in IT (System Eng) and I am good at SEO and digital marketing. I have decided to run my own businesses, this first business (Restaurant) is mainly for my wife. I would just build the processes and do some SEO and marketing for her. Get it running and then leave it to her and do my own IT thing.
I have already kept an eye on an area where i want this restaurant to be. however, I do not have a network here so I rely a lot on internet, which is not really helpful in buying small restaurant. I need to know which newspaper to look for. How to approach immobilier companies etc.

Maybe a stupid question, your permit allows to be self employed?

its on my wifes name. she got C .. would probably get citizenship in next two months.

I would assume it's way easier to rent with a Swiss passport.

Does anybody subscribe to the GastroJournal from above?

http://www.gastrojournal.ch/de/gastr...ents/zeitung/?

Maybe the classified-section there is of some value - and you could always place a "want to rent" ad there...
I'd give the 5-week subscription for 21 CHF a try.

thanks, would give them a call tomorrow and also subscrible


by any chance any idea on how to find landloard of a space? Is there any directory ?

Thank you everyone, I have found a place and done initial contract.
its not a restaurant, however its a shop with a take away.
being an IT and SEO guy my journey to increase my profitability by selling products would start now.