However, he was happy to pass on the secret of perfect chips to the next person.
"The secret to cooking good fish and chips is just a case of clean beef tallow, heating it to the correct temperature and top quality raw materials."
The business is being marketed for sale by negotiation through Bayleys Hawke's Bay. Salesperson Sam MacDonald said the well-known eatery benefited from being both and on and off-premise operation.
"Serving two portions of the market… literally.
"There are few other fish and chip outlets like Westshore Fish Café in Hawke's Bay which are in a position to capitalise on dual segments of the fast food and hospitality markets simultaneously all year round.
"Forty years is a long-time in the fish and chip scene anywhere in New Zealand – and Westshore Fish Cafe's longevity is testament to the lasting appeal and reputation of the venue supported by its service offerings."
Westshore Fish Cafe is licensed to serve 32 patrons in its restaurant area – with the venue open Tuesday to Sunday for dinners, and Thursday to Sunday for lunches. The business employs a fulltime manager and eight rostered part-time staff across the kitchen and front-of-house sectors. Its menus are showcased in the guest services compendiums of Westshore's motels, and unlike many fish and chip shops, it runs a dedicated website.
The business' revenues for the 2017/2018 financial year were up 29.3 per cent on the 2015/2016 financial year. Concurrently, net profit generated is also up 52.8 per cent over the same comparative period, MacDonald said.
"Mike and Desiree's business ethos has been to source the best quality produce available, rather than the cheapest. While this may mean menu items are slightly more expensive at Westshore than what consumers would pay at other fish and chip shops, the numbers clearly show that customers are prepared to pay for quality."
Chattels included in the Westshore Fish Cafe business sale include the commercial-grade food preparation and cooking equipment, the walk-in refrigeration and freezer units, tableware, glasses, crockery and bar fit-out.
The business is currently on a three year lease running through to 2020 at its location in 112A Charles St, with a further three-year right of renewal. It is located within a small block of suburban shops.