Sunset Grill was founded and is headquartered in Ontario, and unlike many franchise systems, individual locations here are periodically marketed as existing-business resales alongside brand-new territory — a turnkey Vaughan, Ontario restaurant is a recent example. That track record gives buyers real comparables to look at, but it doesn't replace the diligence a franchise resale still calls for on the lease, the equipment, and the franchisor's own consent process.
Sunset Grill resales follow the franchisor's own approval process on top of the usual purchase mechanics — here's how the two run together.
Getting approved
The offer sets price and structure, conditioned on franchisor consent and a walkthrough of the kitchen and counter-service equipment.
1–2 weeks†The franchisor reviews the proposed buyer and the deal terms, and may exercise a right of first refusal before the sale can proceed.
several weeks, typically†A franchise disclosure document may still be required for this resale — Ontario courts read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, so franchisor involvement in the sale can trigger it even where it's called a private deal.
assessed early†Getting to closing
The diner's lease needs landlord consent to assign, timed alongside the franchisor's own review.
2–6 weeks†The incoming owner or a designated manager typically completes Sunset Grill's kitchen and food-safety training before or shortly after taking over.
1–3 weeks†Funds and keys change hands, kitchen and counter equipment condition is confirmed, and perishable inventory is counted at cost.
1 day, once conditions are met†Official sunsetgrill.ca/franchising/ page and CFA Look For A Franchise listing confirm active Canada-wide franchise recruitment for this all-day breakfast chain
Established in 1985 in Ontario; described by FranchiseVoice as founded and headquartered in the province
Individual Sunset Grill locations (e.g. a turnkey Vaughan, ON restaurant) are periodically marketed as existing-business resales alongside new territory
This is the first real decision in a Sunset Grill resale — and it changes what you're buying, what you're taking on, and how the franchise agreement moves.
| Question | Asset purchase | Share purchase |
|---|---|---|
| What you buy | The unit's griddles, counter and kitchen equipment, leasehold improvements, inventory, and the franchise agreement's benefit, subject to franchisor consent. | The shares of the operating company — every location it holds, and everything it owes. |
| Seller's liabilities | Generally stay behind with the seller's existing corporation. | Generally come with the company, known and unknown. |
| Franchisor consent & ROFR | Required for the specific unit changing hands. | Required for the change of control itself. |
| Existing-business resale history | Because the system periodically markets individual locations as turnkey resales, comparable pricing and terms may be easier to benchmark than with a newer or less resale-active brand. | Resale history at the unit level doesn't change how a share sale is priced or structured at the company level. |
| The lease | Needs the landlord's written consent to assign, timed alongside the franchisor's own approval. | Usually stays in place, unless the lease has its own change-of-control clause. |
| Tax angle | Buyer gets a stepped-up cost base on the assets purchased. | Seller may access the lifetime capital gains exemption on qualifying shares. |
The unit's griddles, counter and kitchen equipment, leasehold improvements, inventory, and the franchise agreement's benefit, subject to franchisor consent.
The shares of the operating company — every location it holds, and everything it owes.
Generally stay behind with the seller's existing corporation.
Generally come with the company, known and unknown.
Required for the specific unit changing hands.
Required for the change of control itself.
Because the system periodically markets individual locations as turnkey resales, comparable pricing and terms may be easier to benchmark than with a newer or less resale-active brand.
Resale history at the unit level doesn't change how a share sale is priced or structured at the company level.
Needs the landlord's written consent to assign, timed alongside the franchisor's own approval.
Usually stays in place, unless the lease has its own change-of-control clause.
Buyer gets a stepped-up cost base on the assets purchased.
Seller may access the lifetime capital gains exemption on qualifying shares.
We tell you which structure fits — before you sign anything.
No open-ended hourly surprises — the cost is confirmed in writing before any work begins.
| Type of work | Fee | How it's confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Straightforward purchase or sale | Starting from $3,388.87 Our charges · taxes included | Confirmed in writing once we see the agreement. |
| Larger or more complex deal | Quoted to scope | Short call → fixed written quote before any work begins. |
| Searches, filings & third-party fees | At cost | Itemized on your invoice, not marked up. |
A single Sunset Grill diner changing hands between one buyer and one seller, with a straightforward lease and no liquor licence to transfer.
Start my file →A multi-unit operator adding a location to an existing portfolio, or a resale where the franchisor's right of first refusal needs to be worked through before terms are final.
Book a consultation →Not sure which you are? That's our job to figure out, not yours. As a rough guide, most deals under a couple of million dollars are the first kind — above that, you're usually in Mergers & Acquisitions territory.
It can give you useful comparables on price and terms, since this system has a genuine track record of individual locations changing hands as turnkey businesses, not just new territory sales. It doesn't replace the diligence a resale still needs on the lease, equipment, and the franchisor's own consent process, though.
Having been founded and headquartered in Ontario since 1985, the franchisor is generally familiar with provincial disclosure timelines and typical Ontario lease terms, which can make communication more straightforward than with an out-of-province or international head office.
Generally, no — this is a breakfast-and-lunch diner format without an evening bar service, so an AGCO liquor licence transfer typically isn't part of the resale, unlike a full-service restaurant with a dinner and bar program.
Possibly. Ontario courts have read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, and franchisor involvement in matching a buyer to a seller can be enough to trigger a full disclosure requirement even where the deal is framed as a private resale.
Often, yes. Acquiring an operating company that holds more than one location is more commonly handled as a share purchase, so each location's franchise agreement and lease stay intact through the same transaction.
Related
Where we close franchise resale deals
Treadstone Law is an independent law firm. We act for buyers and sellers of franchise businesses. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or retained by Sunset Grill or its franchisor.
Tell us about your Sunset Grill resale — we'll point you the right way and confirm the cost in writing before any work begins.