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Business Financing: the Restaurant

By
Commercial Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto)

formal restaurant

Business Financing: the Restaurant

Ontario Real Estate Source

By Brian Madigan LL.B.

Let's assume that you have been persuaded to finance a restaurant for a friend or relative.

You went to a lawyer who recommended that you obtain the maximum security possible (because anything can go wrong) and this is what you have:

1)     Chattel mortgage, upon specific chattels for major purchases, big ticket items, tools of the trade,

2)     Assignment of Leases upon specific chattels for major purchases, big ticket items, tools of the trade,

3)     accounts receivable,

4)     assignment of book debts,

5)     General Security Agreement,

6)     Assignment of Leases upon business premises,

7)     Assignment of Options to Lease upon business premises,

8)     Assignment of Agreements to Purchase upon business premises,

9)     Assignment of Options to Purchase upon business premises,

10)   A pledge of the shares of the operating company,

11)   A pledge of the shares of the holding company,

12)   An assignment of the suppliers' accounts,

13)   A pledge of any intellectual property,

14)   An agreement to be named as an additional insured on the insurance policy

15)   An agreement by the insurer to waive its rights of subrogation,

16)   An agreement to the assignment of the telephone number,

17)   An agreement to the assignment of the website,

18)   An Authorization to examine the books,

19)   An Authorization to examine the bank accounts,

20)   An Authorization to examine the HST returns,

21)   An Authorization to examine the Income Tax returns,

22)   An Authorization to examine the Workplace Safety assessments and payments,

23)   A personal guarantee of the owner, proprietor,

24)   A personal guarantee of the spouse of the owner proprietor,

25)   A copy of all suppliers' contracts, including books of accounts, inventories and entitlements.

So, now the restaurant is in financial difficulty and you need to assess your options.

Basically, you either run the restaurant, pretty much the way it was or you put it on the market. If you don't sell it soon, you will be stuck and have to sell individual parts at liquidation prices.

So, here are your options:

1)     operate the restaurant,

2)     sell the restaurant,

3)     liquidate the restaurant equipment.

Although each option is difficult, with the security that you have, at least all three choices are available.

Next, we'll look at each of the choices!

Brian Madigan LL.B., Broker is an author and commentator on real estate matters, if you are interested in residential or commercial properties in Mississauga, Toronto or the GTA, you may contact him through Royal LePage Innovators Realty, Brokerage 905-796-8888
www.OntarioRealEstateSource.com

 

 

Nor Yeretsian
Envoy Capitol Realty Inc. - Toronto, ON
Envoy Capitol Realty Inc., Brokerage Toronto

Thanks Brian.

What a checklist. That why I think you need a good business lawyer to handle the transaction for you.

This is not a "let's save the legal fees" area of discussion, because its between friends/family.

cheers

Nor

 

May 24, 2011 01:30 AM
Anne Lok
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Toronto Realty - Toronto, ON
Toronto Modern Real Estate

Brian- I have yet to do a sale of business, but never too early to start learning. Thanks for this list.

May 24, 2011 02:05 AM
Malcolm Johnston
Century 21 Lanthorn Real Estate LTD., Trenton, Ontario - Trenton, ON
Trenton Real Estate

Brian, operating a restaurant without the proper knowledge could be a sure-fire way to dig a deeper hole than you're already in. Financing restaurants is a risky proposition.

May 24, 2011 04:05 AM
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Hi Brian - A couple of other items for your list (a) authorization to examine the EHT returns; (b) authorization to examine source deduction tax accounts.

May 24, 2011 05:24 PM