Brick-and-Mortar & Local Service
Bars, Nightlife & Beverage business blueprints
Compare startup budgets, owner SDE margins, labor and occupancy ratios, SBA valuation multiples and franchise alternatives across 3 business models in bars, nightlife & beverage.
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| Business model | Track | Startup cost range | Typical annual revenue |
SDE (Seller’s Discretionary Earnings) Margin
Total pre-tax cash flow available to a full-time owner-operator as a % of annual revenue: Net Profit + Owner’s Salary/Draws + Interest, Taxes, Depreciation & Amortization (EBITDA) + verified one-time owner add-backs. |
Breakeven |
Resale Valuation Multiple
Typical market purchase price of an established operating business expressed as a multiple of annual Owner SDE (e.g., 2.5× SDE on $200,000 cash flow = $500,000 valuation). |
Franchise path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neighborhood Bar & TavernBars, Nightlife & Beverage · Bars and taverns | Brick-and-Mortar & Local Service | $175,000–$850,000 | $500,000–$1,800,000 | 15%–25% | 9–18 months | 2.3x–3.5x SDE | 4 FDD brands |
| Craft Brewery & TaproomBars, Nightlife & Beverage · Bars and taverns | Brick-and-Mortar & Local Service | $350,000–$1,400,000 | $550,000–$2,000,000 | 14%–24% | 12–24 months | 2.2x–3.4x SDE | 4 FDD brands |
| Wine Bar & Cocktail LoungeBars, Nightlife & Beverage · Bars and taverns | Brick-and-Mortar & Local Service | $150,000–$550,000 | $450,000–$1,350,000 | 15%–24% | 9–16 months | 2.2x–3.3x SDE | 4 FDD brands |
Explore each bars, nightlife & beverage model in depth
Neighborhood Bar & Tavern
Startup: $175,000–$850,000 · Revenue: $500,000–$1,800,000
View CapEx & unit economics →Craft Brewery & Taproom
Startup: $350,000–$1,400,000 · Revenue: $550,000–$2,000,000
View CapEx & unit economics →Wine Bar & Cocktail Lounge
Startup: $150,000–$550,000 · Revenue: $450,000–$1,350,000
View CapEx & unit economics →