What does it really take to buy and run a restaurant successfully?

In Episode 2 of The Owner’s Playbook, host David Rummell sits down with Dewey Hasan, owner of Ukulele Brands, to talk about the realities of buying a business, surviving intense due diligence, fixing a broken culture, navigating employee and legal issues, and rebuilding after a food truck literally crashed through the kitchen wall during dinner service.

This episode is a real look at the pressure, discipline, and commitment required to own a restaurant. Dewey shares how he evaluated dozens of businesses before buying, why internal controls matter so much, how bad employee culture can drain profits, and what it took to survive COVID closures and a major insurance battle after a catastrophic accident.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why due diligence can make or break a business purchase
• How to evaluate whether a business is actually performing as advertised
• Why internal controls are critical in restaurants and cash-heavy businesses
• How employee culture and customer behavior can impact profitability
• What buyers should watch for in deal documents and last-minute addendums
• How to handle legal, insurance, and operational crises as an owner
• Why restaurant ownership requires full commitment, not part-time attention

Chapters:

00:00 Intro & Dewey's background

00:45 From nightclub owner to business buyer

01:53 The gas station deal that fell apart

03:48 Evaluating dozens of businesses through due diligence

04:42 Dewey’s stakeout method before buying a business

05:19 Founding Ukulele Brands

06:39 SBA loan process and closing challenges

08:28 The handwritten addendum that almost killed the deal

11:39 Taking over a restaurant with culture problems

13:12 Internal controls, cash management, and employee turnover

16:13 Replacing the wrong customers and reshaping the business

18:27 Building the right internal team

19:34 Legal headaches from disgruntled employees

25:21 COVID closures and operating through crisis

26:09 A food truck crashes through the kitchen wall

27:30 Insurance claims, documentation, and recovery

28:31 Advice for anyone thinking about owning a restaurant

Guest

Dewey Hasan — Owner, Ukulele Brands

Host

David Rummell — Founder/Owner, DR Law Center; Co-Founder/Co-Owner, Apex Brokerage

If you are thinking about buying, selling, or protecting your business, subscribe for more real conversations with owners and advisors.

For questions, partnerships, or inquiries:

theownersplaybookpodcast@gmail.com

Disclaimer:

This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Please consult your own professional advisors before making business decisions.

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Veteran custom home builder Greg Sawyer (Vision Builders Group & Development, Inc.) was ready to shut down his company. Instead—after spotting margin red flags, tightening controls, and rethinking value—he sold the business and secured a multi-year consulting agreement. Host David Rummell (DR Law Center & Apex Brokerage) walks through the exact playbook: turning “it’s just my reputation” into a marketable asset, fixing profit leaks, and navigating Florida contractor licensing and “qualifying” a business.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How to recognize when 10% margins should be closer to 20–30%—and what that gap usually means.

• Simple internal controls for owner-operators (who signs checks, reconciles, and watches cash).

• Why your reputation, systems, and pipeline have real sale value—even without hard assets.

• How license holders can “qualify” a business in Florida (and the risk of operating without one).

• Practical succession vs. sale options for small contractors and specialty trades.

• Life after exit: consulting, code/permit remediation work, and designing a flexible “semi-retired” role.

Guest Greg Sawyer — Owner/Founder, Vision Builders Group & Development, Inc.

Host David Rummell — Owner/Founder, DR Law Center; Co-Founder/Co-Owner, Apex Brokerage

If you’re an owner thinking about succession, valuation, or selling your business, email us: david@theapexbrokerage.com

Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring real owners and real playbooks.

Disclaimer: This conversation is for informational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Consult your own advisors.