Foreign Investor Purchases a Restaurant Property With Licensing Problems in Turkey: Legal Due Diligence Guide (2026 Updated Guide)

A foreign investor buys restaurant premises in Turkey but later discovers business licence, zoning, occupancy, fire safety, food registration or condominium problems. Learn what should be checked before purchase and which remedies may exist after closing.

A foreign investor may purchase commercial property in Turkey because it appears perfectly suited for a restaurant. The premises may already contain a kitchen, dining area, ventilation system, terrace, toilets and restaurant furniture. The seller may describe the property as a “fully operational restaurant,” and a restaurant may even have operated there for many years.

After the acquisition, however, the investor may discover that owning restaurant premises and being legally entitled to operate a restaurant are two different matters.

The opening and operating licence may not transfer as expected. The building’s approved use may create difficulties. Unauthorized extensions may exist. The kitchen exhaust system may not comply with applicable requirements. Fire-safety deficiencies may prevent operation. Condominium-law consent may be required. The investor may intend to serve alcoholic beverages even though additional location and licensing restrictions apply. Food-business registration requirements may also have to be completed separately.

The Regulation on Opening and Operating Licences establishes the general licensing framework and expressly provides that workplaces cannot be opened and operated without the required licence. It also contains specific conditions applicable to restaurants and other food-service establishments.

For a foreign investor, restaurant due diligence should therefore answer a much more precise question than simply whether the seller owns the property:

Can this exact restaurant concept lawfully operate from this exact property after the acquisition?

A Restaurant Property Is Not Automatically a Licensed Restaurant

One of the most expensive mistakes is assuming that because a property physically looks like a restaurant, it can legally operate as one.

A restaurant investment contains several separate legal layers:

property ownership,

zoning and planning status,

building legality,

approved use,

opening and operating licence,

fire-safety compliance,

food-business requirements,

condominium restrictions, and

additional requirements depending on the restaurant concept.

Every layer should be investigated before the purchase price is paid.

Start With the Title Deed, but Do Not Stop There

The title deed should be reviewed to determine the legal status of the independent section and identify ownership, encumbrances and other registered matters.

However, the title deed alone does not establish that the premises satisfy every requirement for restaurant operation.

The investor should also examine municipal and building documentation.

Is the Property Registered as Residential or Commercial?

This distinction can become extremely important.

The workplace licensing regulation specifically addresses properties subject to the Condominium Law. For certain food and hospitality businesses, including restaurants, opening the business in an independent section registered as residential can require unanimous approval of the condominium owners.

A foreign investor should therefore determine the title classification before purchase.

Condominium Consent Can Become a Deal-Breaker

Imagine that an investor purchases a ground-floor apartment intending to convert it into an upscale restaurant.

The location is commercially excellent.

The investor pays the purchase price and spends substantial amounts on architectural design.

Only afterward does the investor discover that the necessary condominium approval cannot be obtained.

This is exactly the type of problem that should be identified before closing.

Obtain the Condominium Management Plan

The investor should examine:

the management plan,

previous condominium resolutions,

restrictions affecting commercial activity,

common-area rules,

ventilation and chimney issues,

terrace use,

signage,

customer access, and

alterations affecting common areas.

Restaurant operations can affect other owners much more significantly than an ordinary office.

Previous Restaurant Operation Does Not Guarantee Future Licensing

A seller may say:

“A restaurant has operated here for fifteen years.”

That fact is useful but not conclusive.

The investor should ask:

Who operated it?

What licence did it hold?

What activity appeared on the licence?

Was the licence still valid?

Were later alterations made?

Was the business closed voluntarily or by the authorities?

Were there outstanding compliance problems?

Never replace document review with historical assumptions.

Obtain the Existing Opening and Operating Licence

If the premises already operate as a restaurant, obtain a copy of the existing licence and verify it against the official file where appropriate.

Check:

licence holder,

address,

business activity,

date of issue,

property covered,

later amendments, and

any inspection or enforcement history.

The existing licence can provide valuable information about the premises but should not automatically be treated as transferable without further analysis.

Check Whether the Operator Is Changing

Purchasing the real estate and purchasing the restaurant business are different transactions.

The investor may buy:

only the premises,

the premises and equipment,

the operating company,

or

the shares of the company operating the restaurant.

The licensing consequences can differ substantially.

The acquisition structure should therefore be established before deciding whether an existing licence can continue to be used.

Restaurant Licensing Requirements Are Detailed

The Regulation on Opening and Operating Licences contains specific physical requirements for restaurants and related food-service establishments in addition to the general workplace requirements.

Depending on the restaurant category, these can concern matters such as kitchen configuration, preparation and washing areas, ventilation, sanitary facilities, surfaces capable of being cleaned and disinfected, hot and cold water, and other operational characteristics.

The investor should inspect actual compliance rather than merely asking whether “restaurant use” is generally permitted.

The Kitchen Must Be Examined Technically

The kitchen is often one of the most problematic parts of restaurant due diligence.

Review:

food-preparation area,

cooking area,

washing facilities,

water installations,

ventilation,

extraction,

wastewater,

food-contact surfaces,

storage,

cold-storage capacity, and

relationship between kitchen and sanitary areas.

A beautiful dining room cannot compensate for a kitchen that cannot satisfy applicable requirements.

Ventilation and Exhaust Systems Can Create Major Problems

Restaurant operations produce:

heat,

steam,

smoke,

grease,

odours, and

other emissions.

The licensing framework specifically contemplates ventilation and the removal of cooking-related pollutants in food-service premises.

The investor should determine whether the existing ventilation system is lawful and technically sufficient.

Do Not Assume an Existing Chimney Is Legal

A restaurant may contain a chimney that:

crosses common areas,

passes through another part of the building,

was installed without proper approval,

does not correspond with approved architectural documentation, or

creates disputes with condominium owners.

The physical existence of a chimney does not establish its legal status.

Unauthorized Restaurant Extensions Should Be Identified

Restaurants frequently expand into areas that were not part of the original approved premises.

Examples include:

enclosed terraces,

winter gardens,

additional kitchens,

storage rooms,

mezzanines,

basement dining areas, and

covered outdoor seating.

The investor should compare the physical restaurant with the approved architectural project.

A Large Seating Capacity Can Depend on an Unauthorized Area

Suppose the seller advertises a restaurant with seating for 180 customers.

Forty percent of the dining area is actually an unauthorized enclosed terrace.

The investor may discover after closing that the lawful capacity and commercial value of the premises are substantially lower than expected.

This can become both a licensing issue and a seller-liability issue.

Measure the Lawful Restaurant Area

Do not rely solely on the advertised square-meter figure.

Determine:

title area,

approved architectural area,

lawful enclosed area,

actual physical area, and

areas subject to planning or condominium disputes.

Restaurant valuation should be based on legally usable space.

Fire Safety Must Be Checked Before Purchase

The licensing regulation contains fire-safety requirements applicable to workplaces and imposes additional requirements for specified categories of premises.

For restaurant acquisitions, technical review may need to examine:

emergency exits,

evacuation routes,

fire extinguishing systems,

kitchen fire risks,

electrical installations,

gas installations,

occupancy capacity, and

accessibility for emergency response.

A property should not be purchased on the assumption that fire compliance can always be fixed cheaply afterward.

Restaurant Capacity Can Affect Compliance Costs

A larger restaurant may require materially different technical arrangements from a small food-service business.

If the investor’s business plan depends on high customer capacity, that intended capacity should be included in the due-diligence analysis.

Do not assess only whether “a restaurant” can operate.

Assess whether the planned restaurant at the planned capacity can operate.

Food-Business Registration Is a Separate Compliance Layer

Restaurant operation also falls within food-law compliance.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s current registration framework expressly addresses registration procedures for retail and mass-catering food businesses and identifies the relevant application documentation.

The foreign investor should therefore distinguish the municipal workplace licence from food-business registration and other food-safety obligations.

A Municipal Licence Does Not Replace Food Compliance

Obtaining an opening and operating licence should not be treated as completing every regulatory requirement affecting a restaurant.

The business may also need to comply with applicable rules concerning:

food registration,

hygiene,

storage,

traceability,

food safety,

staff practices, and

official food inspections.

Restaurant due diligence should therefore include both the property and the operation.

Check Whether the Existing Food Registration Matches the Business

If an existing restaurant is being acquired, determine:

which company holds the registration,

which address it covers,

what activity it concerns, and

whether the proposed transaction requires new or updated procedures.

A document issued to the seller’s company should not automatically be assumed to belong to the foreign buyer.

Alcohol Changes the Due-Diligence Analysis

A foreign investor planning an ordinary restaurant and one planning an alcohol-serving restaurant may face different requirements.

The workplace licensing regulation separately recognizes alcohol-serving restaurants and defines rules concerning alcohol-related establishments and designated areas.

Therefore, the business plan should state clearly whether alcohol will be served.

Do Not Buy Based on the Assumption That Alcohol Permission Will Follow

The investor may calculate restaurant revenue on the assumption that wine, beer or other alcoholic beverages will be sold.

If the property cannot satisfy the relevant requirements, the business model may change dramatically.

The investor should verify alcohol-related feasibility before pricing the acquisition.

Location Restrictions Can Matter

The licensing framework contains location-related requirements for certain alcohol-serving and public entertainment establishments, including rules connected with designated alcohol-serving areas and distances from specified sensitive locations.

The exact restaurant concept should therefore be assessed against the location before closing.

A Restaurant and an Alcohol-Serving Restaurant Should Not Be Treated as Identical Investments

This distinction matters commercially.

If the buyer’s concept depends on:

cocktail service,

wine pairing,

late-night service, or

another alcohol-related component,

the legal due diligence should reflect that business model.

A property suitable for a standard restaurant may not necessarily support the investor’s full intended concept.

Live Music Creates Another Regulatory Layer

The investor may plan:

live bands,

DJ performances,

acoustic music,

special entertainment nights, or

other amplified music.

The workplace licensing regulation separately addresses live-music permission for restaurants and relevant entertainment establishments.

Do not assume that a restaurant licence automatically authorizes every entertainment activity.

Noise Problems Should Be Investigated Before Acquisition

Restaurant disputes frequently arise from:

music,

customer noise,

ventilation equipment,

late-night activity, and

outdoor seating.

Review the property’s physical surroundings and any history of complaints or administrative action.

A technically legal restaurant can still become commercially difficult if its operating concept generates persistent regulatory conflict.

Outdoor Seating Should Be Verified

A seller may advertise a large outdoor terrace.

Determine whether that area is:

part of the private property,

a condominium common area,

municipal land,

public pavement, or

subject to another permission.

The commercial value of a restaurant can depend heavily on outdoor seating.

Never assume physical occupation equals permanent legal entitlement.

Check Every Terrace Separately

Ask:

Who owns the terrace?

Is it shown in the approved project?

Is condominium approval required?

Does the restaurant have permission to use it?

Can the permission be withdrawn?

Can it be enclosed?

How many tables can legally be placed there?

These questions can materially change valuation.

Signage Should Also Be Considered

A restaurant concept may depend on substantial exterior branding.

The investor should check whether:

signage affects common areas,

municipal rules apply,

the building has restrictions, or

historic/protected status creates additional limitations.

This may be particularly important for international restaurant brands.

Historic Buildings Require Enhanced Due Diligence

A foreign investor purchasing restaurant premises in an older or protected building should investigate whether conservation restrictions affect:

ventilation,

chimneys,

facade alterations,

signage,

kitchen modifications,

terraces, and

structural changes.

A renovation that would be routine in an ordinary building may require substantially more complex approvals in a protected property.

Structural Modifications Should Not Be Assumed Possible

The investor may want to:

remove walls,

expand the kitchen,

install a lift,

create an emergency exit,

construct a chimney, or

connect multiple independent sections.

Before purchase, determine whether those modifications can legally and technically be carried out.

Multiple Independent Sections Can Create Problems

Some restaurants physically occupy several adjacent units.

Verify whether:

each unit is included in the operation,

internal connections are lawful,

all alterations are shown in approved projects,

ownership is consistent, and

the licensing file covers the entire premises.

A restaurant that looks like one property may legally consist of several independent sections.

Check for Existing Municipal Enforcement

Before closing, investigate whether the premises have been subject to:

licence warnings,

closure decisions,

sealing,

planning enforcement,

unauthorized construction proceedings,

fire-safety findings, or

other municipal inspections.

The seller should be asked to disclose all such proceedings.

Obtain the Full Licensing History

Do not request only the current licence.

Where possible, investigate:

initial licence application,

later amendments,

inspection records,

complaints,

deficiency notices,

suspensions,

cancellations, and

closure proceedings.

Historical problems may reveal risks that the current licence document alone does not show.

A Previous Closure Is a Major Warning Sign

If the restaurant was previously closed by the authorities, determine why.

A closure caused by a temporary operator-specific issue is different from a closure caused by a fundamental property problem.

The buyer needs to know whether the defect follows the operator or the premises.

Separate Property Problems From Operator Problems

This distinction is critical.

A previous restaurant may have lost its licence because of the operator’s conduct.

That does not necessarily make the property unusable.

Conversely, a licensing problem caused by:

illegal construction,

incompatible approved use,

condominium restrictions, or

structural deficiencies

may continue even after the operator changes.

Who Is Actually Selling the Restaurant?

The foreign investor should determine whether the seller owns:

the real estate,

the restaurant company,

the equipment,

the brand,

the existing licence-related rights, or

only some of these assets.

Never assume that purchasing one asset automatically transfers the others.

Real Estate Purchase and Business Acquisition Should Be Separated

A restaurant transaction may include:

property purchase,

share purchase,

equipment transfer,

brand acquisition,

lease rights,

employee transfer, and

commercial contracts.

Each component requires its own due diligence.

Seller Statements Should Be Documented

Preserve statements such as:

“The restaurant is fully licensed.”

“There are no municipal problems.”

“The terrace is legal.”

“The chimney is approved.”

“Alcohol can be served here.”

“Live music is permitted.”

“The restaurant has capacity for 200 people.”

If these statements are material to the investment, they should ideally appear in transaction documents rather than remain oral assurances.

Seller Warranties Should Be Restaurant-Specific

A well-drafted agreement can address:

valid opening and operating licence,

approved restaurant use,

building and occupancy status,

absence of unauthorized additions,

lawful ventilation and chimney systems,

fire compliance,

food-business documentation,

terrace rights,

absence of undisclosed closure proceedings, and

known licensing disputes.

Generic real-estate warranties may not adequately protect a restaurant investor.

Ask About Previous Licence Applications

If the seller previously attempted to obtain:

alcohol-related permission,

live-music permission,

terrace authorization,

expanded seating approval, or

another operational permission,

obtain the outcome.

A prior refusal can reveal a restriction that materially affects the buyer’s business plan.

Concealed Previous Refusals Can Be Important Evidence

Suppose the seller tells the foreign investor that alcohol permission should be straightforward.

After closing, the investor discovers that the seller previously applied and was refused because of a permanent location-related restriction.

That history can be highly relevant to a seller-liability analysis.

Preserve Broker Advertisements

Restaurant properties are frequently marketed using expressions such as:

“fully licensed,”

“ready to operate,”

“alcohol licence available,”

“legal terrace,” or

“turnkey restaurant.”

Save the listing before it disappears.

Advertisements, messages and brochures may become important evidence if the property’s actual regulatory status differs materially.

“Turnkey Restaurant” Should Never Replace Due Diligence

The phrase is commercial marketing.

It does not independently prove:

planning compliance,

valid licensing,

food registration,

fire compliance,

alcohol feasibility,

terrace legality, or

construction legality.

Every material regulatory point should be verified independently.

Consider Making Licensing a Closing Condition

If restaurant use is fundamental to the acquisition, the buyer may structure the transaction so completion depends on specified regulatory conditions.

Depending on the deal, these might include:

verification of restaurant use,

confirmation of building legality,

required condominium approval,

satisfactory licensing position, or

other defined permissions.

This can be much safer than litigating after the entire purchase price has been paid.

Deposits Should Be Conditional Where Licensing Is Uncertain

A foreign investor should be cautious about paying a large non-refundable deposit before restaurant due diligence is complete.

The preliminary agreement should address what happens if:

restaurant use is impossible,

essential approvals cannot be obtained,

unauthorized construction is discovered, or

seller representations prove inaccurate.

Use a Due-Diligence Long-Stop Date

Where additional administrative confirmation is needed, the parties can establish a deadline.

If the required condition is not satisfied by that date, the contract should state what happens to:

the deposit,

transaction obligations, and

termination rights.

This prevents regulatory uncertainty from continuing indefinitely.

What if the Investor Has Already Purchased the Restaurant Property?

Do not immediately assume the investment is lost.

First identify the problem.

Is it:

a missing document,

correctable physical deficiency,

fire issue,

food registration problem,

unauthorized extension,

condominium consent problem,

fundamental planning restriction, or

location-based restriction?

The solution depends on the category.

Correctable Problems and Fundamental Problems Must Be Separated

A missing sink, ventilation upgrade or other technical deficiency may potentially be corrected.

A permanent planning prohibition or impossible condominium-consent requirement can present a fundamentally different problem.

The investor should not spend substantial money attempting technical repairs before determining whether the underlying legal use is possible.

Can the Licence Refusal Be Challenged?

Potentially.

A written refusal should be obtained and reviewed.

An administrative challenge may be appropriate where the authority:

uses incorrect property information,

misinterprets applicable rules,

ignores existing lawful approvals,

incorrectly classifies the activity, or

otherwise acts unlawfully.

However, the commercial importance of the restaurant does not itself make a legally justified refusal unlawful.

Obtain Every Written Administrative Decision

Do not rely on verbal statements such as:

“The municipality says the restaurant cannot open.”

Obtain:

written refusal,

inspection report,

deficiency notice,

closure decision,

fire report, and

other relevant records.

Each administrative act may have its own procedural consequences and deadlines.

Do Not Continue Renovation Blindly

If a fundamental licensing problem is discovered during renovation, additional expenditure should be reconsidered immediately.

Spending another large amount on interior design does not solve a zoning or condominium problem.

Protect capital while the legal position is clarified.

Can the Seller Be Liable After Closing?

Potentially.

Seller liability may become particularly relevant where the seller:

expressly represented the premises as lawfully licensed,

concealed existing licensing problems,

failed to disclose prior closure proceedings,

misrepresented terrace or construction legality,

provided inaccurate information about restaurant use, or

gave specific contractual warranties that prove false.

The purchase agreement and evidence should be examined carefully.

Seller Liability Is Not Automatic

A licence refusal does not automatically mean the seller is responsible.

For example, the foreign buyer may introduce an entirely different restaurant concept requiring permissions the seller never represented as available.

The analysis should compare:

the property sold,

the intended use communicated before closing,

seller representations,

contractual warranties, and

the actual reason for licensing failure.

What if the Buyer Changes the Concept After Purchase?

Suppose the property previously operated as a small ordinary restaurant.

The buyer now wants:

late-night entertainment,

live music,

alcohol service,

a large terrace, and

double the customer capacity.

Failure to obtain every additional permission does not necessarily establish that the original seller misrepresented the property.

The pre-contract business plan matters.

Can the Purchase Be Unwound?

Potentially, depending on the seriousness of the problem, contract terms, seller representations and applicable private-law principles.

A fundamental undisclosed defect that destroys the intended commercial purpose can present a very different case from a minor correctable licensing deficiency.

The investor should choose the remedy only after the regulatory position has been established.

Price Reduction or Damages May Be Alternatives

The investor may prefer to keep the property.

For example, a restaurant without alcohol or outdoor seating may still be commercially viable but worth materially less than represented.

Depending on the legal basis, price reduction or damages may therefore be more practical than attempting to unwind the transaction.

Independent Valuation Can Be Essential

Compare:

purchase price,

value as represented,

value under actual lawful restaurant use,

value if restaurant use is impossible,

cost of compliance,

lost lawful seating capacity, and

alternative commercial use.

This can help quantify the financial consequences.

Fit-Out Expenditure Should Be Preserved

Keep records of:

architect fees,

construction work,

kitchen equipment,

furniture,

ventilation,

fire systems,

electrical upgrades,

signage,

franchise costs, and

other restaurant-specific expenditure.

The legal recoverability of each category may differ, but the evidence should be preserved.

Franchise Restaurants Require Additional Protection

A foreign investor acquiring premises for an international restaurant franchise may have strict obligations concerning:

minimum floor area,

kitchen layout,

seating capacity,

signage,

opening date, and

brand design.

A licensing problem can therefore create liability under both the property transaction and franchise agreement.

Review the contracts together.

Financing Should Also Be Reviewed

If the restaurant acquisition was financed, licensing problems may affect:

property valuation,

loan covenants,

opening deadlines,

cash-flow assumptions, and

debt service.

The investor should review any lender-notification obligations promptly.

Restaurant Due Diligence Should Occur Before Final Pricing

A property that supports:

200 lawful seats,

alcohol service,

a lawful terrace, and

late-evening operations

may have a very different commercial value from a property supporting only:

80 indoor seats,

no alcohol,

no terrace, and

restricted operating conditions.

Regulatory due diligence therefore affects valuation, not merely legal compliance.

Build a Restaurant Licensing Matrix

Before purchasing, prepare a single matrix covering:

Title status: What exactly is being purchased?

Approved use: Is restaurant use legally supported?

Building legality: Does the existing property match approved plans?

Occupancy status: Are the relevant documents compatible?

Condominium: Is consent required?

Opening and operating licence: What is the existing and future position?

Fire safety: Can the intended capacity comply?

Food registration: What procedures are required?

Alcohol: Is it part of the business model and legally feasible?

Live music: Is separate permission required?

Terrace: Is outdoor use legally available?

Renovation: Can required physical changes lawfully be made?

This prevents a single overlooked issue from undermining the entire acquisition.

2026 Practical Legal Strategy

A foreign investor considering restaurant property in Turkey should perform use-specific legal due diligence before signing the final purchase agreement or paying the full purchase price.

The first step is to confirm that the property can lawfully support the intended restaurant concept. The Regulation on Opening and Operating Licences prohibits operating a workplace without the required licence and establishes both general workplace conditions and restaurant-specific requirements.

Second, investigate the property rather than merely the existing operator. The title classification, approved architectural project, construction legality, condominium management plan, existing licence, fire position, terrace status and previous enforcement history should all be examined. A restaurant that has physically operated for years may still contain unauthorized alterations or unresolved regulatory problems.

Third, investigate operational requirements separately. Restaurant businesses fall within food-regulatory requirements, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry maintains registration procedures applicable to retail and mass-catering food businesses. Where the concept includes alcohol, live music or other additional activities, those elements should be separately tested before the business model is finalized.

Fourth, document the seller’s representations. Statements concerning restaurant licensing, terrace legality, alcohol feasibility, approved seating capacity, chimney legality and absence of municipal proceedings should be verified and, where material, reflected in contractual warranties.

Finally, structure the transaction around unresolved regulatory risk. Depending on the circumstances, the buyer may use conditions precedent, deposit protections, price retention, specific indemnities or other contractual mechanisms rather than accepting the entire licensing risk at closing.

If the purchase has already occurred and licensing problems emerge, the investor should obtain all written administrative decisions immediately, determine whether the problem is correctable, preserve challenge deadlines, stop unnecessary expenditure and investigate whether contractual remedies exist against the seller or intermediary.

Lawyer Fırat Fesih Kaya can review the restaurant property’s title status, approved use, architectural documentation, existing licences, condominium position, municipal history and acquisition documents to determine whether the proposed restaurant can legally operate and how identified licensing risks should be addressed before or after the acquisition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreign investor buy restaurant property in Turkey and immediately start operating?

No. Ownership alone does not authorize restaurant operation. The applicable opening and operating licence and other relevant regulatory requirements must be satisfied.

Does a previous restaurant licence guarantee that I will receive a licence?

No. The existing licence, operator, activity, property condition and proposed new restaurant concept should all be reviewed. Changes in activity or physical configuration can affect the analysis.

Can a restaurant operate in a property registered as residential?

This can create significant condominium-law issues. The workplace licensing regulation specifically requires unanimous condominium-owner approval for opening certain businesses, including restaurants, in independent sections registered as residential under the relevant framework.

Do restaurants need food-business registration in addition to the municipal licence?

Food-law compliance is a separate regulatory layer. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry maintains registration procedures for retail and mass-catering food businesses.

Can an unauthorized terrace cause restaurant licensing problems?

Potentially, yes. The investor should determine whether the terrace forms part of the lawful property, whether it is shown in approved plans, whether condominium or municipal permission is required and whether it can lawfully be used for restaurant seating.

Can I serve alcohol simply because the property already operates as a restaurant?

Not automatically. Alcohol-related operations can involve additional licensing and location requirements. The intended restaurant concept should therefore be assessed before acquisition.

Does a restaurant licence automatically include live music?

No. The licensing regulation separately addresses live-music permission for restaurants and relevant establishments.

Can the seller be liable if the restaurant cannot obtain the expected licence?

Potentially. Seller liability may arise depending on the purchase agreement, warranties, disclosures, representations, prior knowledge and the actual reason the licence cannot be obtained.

Should the restaurant licence be obtained before buying the property?

Where licensing feasibility is essential to the investment, the transaction can be structured so that specified regulatory requirements are verified or satisfied before closing. This can significantly reduce post-acquisition risk.

What should a foreign investor check before purchasing restaurant property?

Verify the title classification, zoning and approved use, building and occupancy documents, physical conformity with approved projects, existing business licence, condominium management plan and approvals, fire requirements, food-business registration requirements, ventilation and chimney legality, terrace rights, alcohol feasibility, live-music requirements, previous municipal proceedings and every material representation made by the seller or broker.

Legal Support for Foreign Investors Buying Restaurant Property

Restaurant property acquisitions involve considerably more than checking the title deed and purchase price. A foreign investor can acquire an attractive commercial property and still discover that the planned restaurant cannot lawfully operate because of licensing, construction, condominium, fire-safety, food-regulatory or use restrictions.

Fırat Fesih Kaya Law Office assists foreign investors with restaurant and commercial-property acquisitions, pre-purchase legal due diligence, business licensing, zoning and construction compliance, condominium issues, administrative disputes and claims arising from undisclosed licensing problems. Lawyer Fırat Fesih Kaya can examine the property and licensing documentation before closing, identify risks affecting the proposed restaurant concept and structure the acquisition to reduce the risk of purchasing premises that cannot legally support the intended business.

Phone: +90 312 434 22 22

WhatsApp: +90 532 769 22 22

Email: info@firatfesihkaya.av.tr