Owning and running a pub is not like running any other type of restaurant; a pub may be expected to have a larger selection of beers and ales than a standard restaurant, and the business may be busier after dinner hours rather than during lunchtime and even dinner itself. Because it's somewhat different to own a pub than a diner, café, and other such establishment, you want to carefully consider some questions about the pub you're thinking of buying and the business overall to ensure it's the right choice for you.

Ask yourself if you're the right kind of person to run a pub

If you want to run a restaurant because you enjoy cooking exotic dishes and making a lovely presentation to your customers, you actually might not be the right type of person to run a pub. A pub usually means finger foods that go well with beer and ale and can be eaten while the crowd is watching a game on television. While some good dishes might be appreciated in a pub, you need to think seriously about the types of foods that are expected to be served and if you are ready to educate yourself on different beers and cocktails that are expected in a pub, versus the foods you would normally serve in an upscale restaurant.

Has the pub faced any recent violations?

Be sure you check if a pub has faced any recent violations, more than just standard health code violations you might expect from a restaurant. The pub may not have had the right licensing in place for the alcohol they were serving, or may have allowed someone underage to serve alcohol. In cases like these, be sure you know if those violations were corrected and that you're ready to get the needed licenses. You also need to consider if you'll be required to hire new staff once you purchase the pub, as this can mean a slowdown in your business if you open the place while being understaffed.

Note if a lease or tenancy might be a good option

Buying a pub as a private owner means that you can run it as you please. However, if you're just starting out in the business, you might ask about a lease or tenancy. This allows the current owner to simply lease out the business to you as you run it, and you pay them a certain fee. If you start with this option, you can see if owning a pub is the right choice for you, and then buy the business as the end of the lease term.

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