Premier National Authority in Hospitality Business Sales

Transforming restaurant ownership through unmatched expertise

With over three decades of specialized expertise in restaurant transactions, Terry Espy has established herself as the nation's premier authority in hospitality business sales and financing solutions. Terry has achieved an exceptional success rate exceeding 90% on restaurant listings through her comprehensive understanding of industry complexities and unparalleled ability to navigate financing challenges that typically derail restaurant transactions.

Terry's distinctive expertise lies in her mastery of restaurant-specific financing structures and her proven ability to overcome the unique obstacles inherent in hospitality transactions. Her deep knowledge of SBA restaurant lending, equipment financing, liquor license transfers, and lease negotiations enables her to guide transactions to successful completion where other brokers encounter insurmountable barriers.

Industry Leadership & Recognition

Terry's visionary approach to business brokerage has earned recognition from prestigious publications including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Triangle Business Journal, and AARP Magazine. Her strategic focus on developing exceptional restaurant concepts and facilitating successful hospitality transactions has helped transform multiple markets into premier culinary destinations.

Community Impact & Innovation

During the pandemic, Terry pioneered innovative community revitalization programs, working with municipalities to create flexible dining solutions that enabled restaurant expansion into sidewalks and public spaces. These groundbreaking initiatives not only saved dozens of restaurants nationwide but generated their best revenues to date, establishing new models for restaurant sustainability.

Strategic Development Expertise

Terry has been personally selected by major development groups to lead commercial components of mixed-use projects, where she has secured renowned chefs and hospitality concepts as anchor tenants. Her boutique development approach includes the restoration and adaptive reuse of historic properties into premier hospitality venues that serve as community anchors.

Professional Recognition

• Triangle Business Journal's "Women in Business Award"

• Raleigh Chamber of Commerce "Pinnacle Award"

• Leadership positions in business development organizations

• Board Member: Historic preservation foundations, business development councils, cultural arts organizations

• Industry speaker and consultant on restaurant development and community revitalization

Beyond Business

When she's not transforming communities, Terry rocks out as a member of THE HOT FLASHES, an 8-woman band "of a certain age" recently featured on the cover of AARP Magazine!

SELECT RESTAURANT TRANSACTIONS

Recent Restaurant Sales & Developments:

• New Anthem Brewery - Craft brewery development

• Benny's Big Time Pizzeria - Popular pizza concept sale

• Pinpoint Restaurant - Fine dining establishment

• Ruth's Chris Steak House - Premium steakhouse location

• Castle Street Kitchen - Boutique restaurant concept

• Rum Cow - Unique dining experience

• Floriana's - Local favorite establishment

• Platypus & Gnome - Creative dining concept

• Tarantelli's - Italian cuisine specialist

• JohnnyLukes - Regional restaurant chain

• Pour TapRoom - Craft beverage concept

• Peppered Cupcake - Specialty dessert shop

• Bonita - Contemporary dining

• Topsail Steamer - Seafood restaurant

• The Vine - Wine bar and restaurant

• Yosake/Husk - Asian fusion concepts

• Michael's Gastropub - Upscale casual dining

• Angus Grill - Steakhouse concept

• Three10 Restaurant - Contemporary American

• Tequila Comida - Mexican cuisine

• Station No. 2 - Historic location restaurant

• South Front Tavern - Downtown anchor

• Ida Thai - Authentic Thai cuisine

• Havanna's Deck House - Waterfront dining

• Don Luca's - Italian restaurant

• Gelarto - Artisan gelato shop

• Coco Pipa - Latin-inspired cuisine