Matt Gellert: The secret to buying cafés

From purchasing his first espresso bar to building a growing café group and helping others navigate business ownership, Founder of Black & White Espresso Matt Gellert shares the lessons he learned along the way and the common mistakes aspiring owners make when assessing opportunities. We explore why people sell cafés, the benefits and challenges of buying an existing venue versus starting from scratch, and the key factors buyers should examine beyond headline revenue and profit figures. Matt also reveals the green flags that can signal a strong acquisition, the red flags that should prompt caution, and why lease agreements are often the most important document in any café transaction. Along the way, he also discusses current market conditions, shifting customer trends, the rise of suburban café culture, and how transparency can make the difference between a successful sale and a business that lingers on the market.