The premises
The right premises do half the job. The wrong premises cannot be saved. Take your time here.
Good pizzeria premises are where people already move about, have room for an oven with an extractor fan, and rent of at most 10 percent of your sales. Best of all is a space that was already a pizzeria or restaurant, because the most expensive things are already in place.
Location matters most
Stand outside the premises on a Friday evening and a Tuesday at lunch. Count people. That tells you more than any listing.
- Close to homes = good evenings and weekends
- Close to workplaces and schools = good lunches
- People must be able to stop the car outside – takeaway is half your sales
- Can the place be seen from the street? A pizzeria people see sells more.
- Other food places nearby are usually good, not bad. People go where the food is.
Take over an old pizzeria or restaurant
Extractor fan, floor drain and grease trap are the most expensive things to build new. In an old restaurant space they are already there. Ask why the last place closed. Bad location? Move on. Tired owner? Maybe a bargain.
- Test all equipment included before you sign
- Check with the municipality that the premises are approved for a restaurant
- Ask the neighbours what they thought of the last place
Before you sign the lease
Commercial leases are tougher than housing leases. You cannot just give notice and walk away. Read everything. Get help if something feels unclear – it costs a little and saves a lot.
- How long is the lease term? 3 + 3 years is common
- What is included? Heating, water, waste collection, ventilation?
- Who pays if the extractor fan breaks?
- Are you allowed to put a sign on the facade?
- Does the lease say you may run a restaurant? It must say so.
Where to find vacant premises
Check these every week. Good premises go fast:
Objektvision
BiggestSweden's biggest site for vacant commercial premises. Filter on restaurant and café to see where there is an extractor fan.
Visit siteLokalguiden
Wide rangeLots of premises across the country. Good alert feature that emails you when something new comes in.
Visit siteBlocket
Bargains & businessesWhole pizzerias are sold here with equipment and customer base. Search for 'pizzeria' under business transfers.
Visit siteThe best premises are often never advertised. Tell everyone you know that you are looking. Ask pizzeria owners who are about to retire.
Common questions
How big do pizzeria premises need to be?
A takeaway pizzeria manages on 40–60 sqm. If you want 20–30 seats you need 80–120 sqm. The kitchen takes about a third of the space.
What is a reasonable rent?
Count backwards: the rent should be at most 10 percent of what you think you will sell for. If you sell for SEK 300,000 a month, you can handle SEK 30,000 in rent. In small towns good premises often cost SEK 10,000–25,000, in big cities more.
Can the landlord say no to a pizzeria?
Yes. Cooking smells, fans and late evenings make some landlords say no. Ask straight away if a restaurant is okay, before you spend time on the premises.
Premises on the way? Then you need an oven.
The oven is the heart of the pizzeria. How to choose right without paying too much.