For Restaurant Owners Opening Under New Ownership at an Existing Location

When you take over an existing restaurant location, one of the most important tasks is updating your Google Business Profile (GBP). Done correctly, customers searching for the previous restaurant can quickly discover that the location is now operating under new ownership and a new brand.

This guide outlines the recommended steps and best practices to maximize visibility and avoid losing customers during the transition.

---

Before You Open #

1. Create or Claim Your Google Business Profile #

Visit:

https://business.google.com

Sign in using the Google account that will permanently manage your restaurant.

If Google already has a listing for your location:

• Search for your restaurant address.
• If the previous business appears, choose Claim this Business.
• Follow Google’s ownership verification process.

If no listing exists:

• Create a new Google Business Profile.

---

If Another Restaurant Previously Occupied the Location #

This is the most common situation.

Google often already associates the address with the previous restaurant.

Your objective is not to create duplicate listings.

Instead:

• Claim the existing listing whenever possible.
• Update it to reflect the new ownership.
• Change:
  • Restaurant Name
  • Phone Number
  • Website
  • Business Hours
  • Menu URL
  • Reservation Links
  • Ordering Links
  • Categories
  • Photos

If you cannot gain ownership because the previous owner still controls the profile:

Request ownership through Google Business Profile.

If there is no response after Google’s waiting period, Google typically allows you to verify ownership yourself.