Hospitality business serves up lakeside lifestyle

An opportunity to combine a lakeside lifestyle with ownership of an established hospitality business is available in Taupo.

The Waterside Restaurant and Bar on the corner of the central business district overlooks the waters of Lake Taupo, with a view extending to the peaks of Ngaruhoe, Ruapehu and Tongariro.

The business was established in 2003 and comprises a two storey building with roof garden, and includes a restaurant, bar and function room, with a combined seating capacity of 150 people.

The Waterside Restaurant and Bar is for sale by Bayleys Tauranga commercial and business salespeople Brendon and Lynn Bradley as a going concern by Bayleys with a deadline of December 12. Mr Bradley said the sale would suit either a strategic business buyer or someone looking for a fantastic lifestyle with income.

“The owners set up the Waterside Restaurant and Bar almost a decade ago and now would like to move in a new direction, leaving this opportunity to secure a business which has a strong trading history and brand,” he said..

“The Waterside Restaurant and Bar has a great indoor/outdoor flow, giving diners the choice of indoor dining or pavement alfresco dining opposite the lake. The restaurant has a good reputation for delicious food, speciality coffees, and an extensive selection of beverages.”

The restaurant is open seven days, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as brunch is served at weekends and public holidays. It seats 60 indoor diners and a further 30 pavement alfresco diners.

Mr Bradley said: “The commercial kitchen facility has recently undergone a $200,000 renovation. This has included the installation of a new extractor hood, stainless steel benches, ovens and refrigerators. The restaurant has also had two new flat screen televisions installed and all of the crockery has been replaced.”

Adjacent to restaurant is a bar catering for up to 20 people. The bar is popular with diners for pre and post drinks, as well as offering a bar menu.

The first floor of the building is fully self-contained and includes a commercial kitchen, bar, dining room, and outside deck area. It is currently used for private functions such as weddings, birthdays, cocktail parties and corporate functions. The room can seat 60 people for a sit down meal, or up to 100 people for standing style functions such as cocktail parties.

The business currently employs a total of six full-time staff and nine part-time staff.
Mr Bradley said as well as the restaurant, bar and function room, the business also had the facilities to provide offsite catering for special events.

“This is a great opportunity for the new owners to add value to the current operation,” he said.

“The new owners may seek to maximise the potential of this additional service with targeted marketing to maximise profits.

“The Waterside Restaurant and Bar’s focus on top quality food and consistency has attracted a loyal client following, while the lakefront location is a magnet for the visitors that Taupo consistently attracts as a tourist destination.”