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Confidential · No Obligation · Evanston

Thinking About Selling Your Coffee Shop / Cafe in Evanston?

Evanston's university population and affluent lakefront residents support a resilient market for food service, retail, and personal services. Coffee shops attract a wide buyer funnel, from first-time buyers to multi-unit operators. Location, lease terms, and daily transaction volume are the three numbers every buyer asks about first.

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Local Market Pulse

Coffee Shop / Cafe Transactions in Evanston

Page data as of: June 27, 2026 at 04:59:34 AM CDT

Evanston Market Overview

Evanston's university population and affluent lakefront residents support a resilient market for food service, retail, and personal services.

Buyer Activity

Northwestern-adjacent foot traffic keeps demand steady for cafes, bookstores, and quick-service concepts near campus.

Avg. Days on Market

94 days

for listed Evanston businesses — varies by industry, asking price, and seller preparation.

Coffee Shop / Cafe Buyer Landscape

Coffee shops attract a wide buyer funnel, from first-time buyers to multi-unit operators. Location, lease terms, and daily transaction volume are the three numbers every buyer asks about first.

Advisor Note

Evanston has stricter zoning and licensing processes than most suburbs — buyers should budget extra time for permit transfers.

Recent Sale Comps

3 Similar Coffee Shop / Cafe Businesses Sold in the Last 90 Days

Representative transactions. Actual results vary by location, condition, and market timing.

#1
SDE$87K
Multiple2.2×
Days on Market53 days
#2
SDE$124K
Multiple2.6×
Days on Market39 days
#3
SDE$71K
Multiple1.9×
Days on Market82 days
Timing Your Sale

Coffee shop listings are most active in Q1 and Q3. Summer slowdowns in foot traffic can temporarily suppress valuations, so sellers with strong year-round revenue data have a real advantage.

How It Works

A simple, discreet process from start to finish.

01

Share Your Information

A brief, confidential form is all we need to get started. Your employees, customers, and competitors will never know.

02

Meet Your Advisor

A dedicated local business advisor will reach out within 24 hours for a private, no-pressure conversation about your goals.

03

Understand Your Options

We provide a professional valuation and a clear strategy so you can make the right decision for yourself, your family, and your business.

Common Questions

Selling a Coffee Shop / Cafe: What Owners Ask

How is a coffee shop valued?
Coffee shops typically sell for 1.8× to 2.8× SDE. Location and lease quality are the dominant value drivers — a high-traffic corner with years remaining on the lease can push a modest earner to a strong multiple.
What revenue data do buyers want to see?
Daily transaction count, average ticket size, and monthly gross revenue from the POS system. Buyers also look at peak hour concentration — a business that earns most of its revenue in a two-hour morning window carries more risk than one with consistent all-day traffic.
Are coffee shop employees likely to stay after a sale?
Most barista-level staff will transition with a new owner, especially if the owner communicates clearly and early. The critical retention question is the manager or head barista — if one person knows the recipes and relationships, that's a transition risk buyers will price.
Free Valuation Estimate

What Is Your Coffee Shop / Cafe Worth?

Enter your numbers below for an instant SDE-based estimate. Ranges are calibrated for Coffee Shop / Cafe transactions.

$
From your most recent tax return or P&L
$
What you paid yourself from the business
$
One-time expenses, personal items run through the business
$

Enter your numbers on the left to see your estimated value range.

Neighborhoods in Evanston

Areas We Cover in Evanston

Downtown Evanston 60201Main-Dempster Mile 60202
Industries in Evanston

Business Types We Advise On