Retail & restaurants

For a retailer or restaurant, the site is a large part of the business plan. Trade area, visibility, access, co-tenants and parking all shape sales, and restaurants add infrastructure that not every space can support. We take requirements from national chains, regional operators and first locations alike.

What the space has to do

Visibility and signage

Frontage, sign rights on the building and pylon, and sightlines from the road and parking field.

Access and parking

Curb cuts, signalized entries, parking close to the door and, for many concepts, a drive-through lane.

Co-tenancy

Anchors and neighboring tenants that bring the right customers, and protections if an anchor leaves.

Restaurant infrastructure

Grease interceptors, hood venting, gas service, electrical capacity and space for outdoor seating where permitted.

Delivery and pickup

Short-term parking, pickup counters and back-of-house access for deliveries and online orders.

In the lease

• Retail leases are commonly triple net and may include percentage rent above a sales breakpoint. Model both before you sign.
• Your permitted use clause, any exclusive you need, and the exclusives other tenants already hold should all be settled in the letter of intent.
• Co-tenancy and go-dark provisions protect a tenant if anchors leave or the center loses occupancy.
• Restaurants should confirm who pays for kitchen infrastructure, such as grease interceptors and venting, and what stays at the end of the term.

Questions we hear