Calgary Restaurant Specialists
Finding and Securing Choice Locations
Whether you’re opening your first restaurant or expanding your network, we’ll help you prepare for success.
We’ll get to know you and your goals, make sure you understand the local market and your competitors. You’ll need to clarify your space requirements, have a solid business plan, and be ready to approach and sell property owners on your business.
Once you’re ready, we’ll help you locate suitable properties, organize tours, and negotiate an agreement.
We’ll also help you with your post agreement planning and connect you with a wide variety of 3rd party suppliers to help you get set up.
We’re known for our experience in Calgary’s downtown, beltline, and inner-city restaurant options. However, we can help no matter where in the city you’re looking.
For more on how we work together, review our service descriptions, browse our restaurant listings, and review our feature articles to help you move forward with confidence.
Related Services
Let our team of specialists help make every aspect of your search, move in and launch, as seamless as possible.
Key areas of our tenant advisory services: 1) Ensure you’re clear on your needs, budget, zoning, and competitive environment, and advise industry trends and forecasted changes. 2) Help you with business plan preparation and launch strategies to address concerns of property owners. 3) Connect you with experts, contractors, and suppliers for efficient planning, permitting, building, move in and launch.
ADVISORY SERVICES
Our research services focus on three things: 1) Help you understand market conditions and what to expect during negotiations. This is vital for budgeting and planning. 2) Strategic site selection, including zoning, affordability, traffic patterns and purchase volumes, demographic profiling, location of complementary businesses, and more. 3) Develop search profile based on your needs and create summary of high-potential vacancies for consideration.
MARKET RESEARCH
Finding an ideal location involves more than scanning a commercial property database for vacancies. For a variety of reasons, a large percent of properties are never listed. For example, a tenant may be quiet they’re leaving, or the property is in development. What’s important is knowing what’s really available. Our extensive network of landlords and brokers helps expand your range of options.
FIND A LOCATION
We outline the commercial leasing process, explain industry norms, and help establish realistic expectations. We negotiate with owners to structure favourable terms as well as review draft lease agreements and help you understand them, highlighting negotiable clauses to discuss with your lawyer.
We can refer you to a wide range of industry professionals; lawyers, consultants, and service providers to further streamline your process.
NEGOTIATE AN OFFER TO LEASE
ADVISORY SERVICES
MARKET RESEARCH
FIND A LOCATION
NEGOTIATE A LEASE
Everyone Has Questions
These Are The Ones We’re Asked Most
Q: Is there value in leasing a space previously occupied by a restaurant?
A: In some instances, yes. However, we advise having your advisory team review the property. Changes in construction codes, such as vents and washrooms, may require you to amend or even remove existing improvements. You want to avoid these costly scenarios.
Q: Is it worth paying more rent for one location over another?
A: That depends on your requirements. For example, situating on a high profile corner may seem like a good idea, but if parking isn’t available, it could make pickup, delivery and customer attendance challenging.
Q: What sort of zoning issues are of concern?
A: Zoning often plays a significant role in whether a space can work for you.
Many properties are zoned for a specific use. Your concept might be permitted, discretionary, or prohibited. There are multiple variables including whether you intend to be licensed, permit children, size of your common area, parking requirements, and whether you will have a stage and more.
What’s important is getting on top of zoning issues upfront, during the planning and leasing process. You’ll want to work with an experienced advisor to help you navigate zoning issues.
Q: What assistance can I expect from my new landlord in terms of free rent and tenant allowance?
A: There are no standard deals. The answer will depend on the location, the landlord, your use, and covenant. We’ll help set realistic expectations, based on what others are receiving.
Q: What is a convenant and am I always expected to provide a personal guarantee?
A: A covenant is the security you as a tenant provide. The Landlord relies on your financial well-being to give them the confidence to lease you the space. A personal guarantee is not the only way to secure a covenant. You can often use a letter of credit, larger deposit, lower landlord contribution to the deal, etc.
Ready for a chat? We’d love to talk about
your project.
Featured Restaurant Properties
One Park Central
Spring Creek – 1020 B Spring Creek Drive
3534 and 3558 Garrison Gate SW
396 11th Avenue SW
The Hat @ East Village
333 11th Avenue SW
How Do Tenants Benefit
