Weekly Perl: A Commercial Real Estate News Recap
Huey Magoo's to enter Texas, expand Alabama footprint
A growing chicken tender chain is plotting expansion in two Southern states.

Huey Magoo’s has signed a new development agreement totaling 12 restaurants, marking the brand's entry into Texas and expansion in Alabama. The deal includes eight restaurants across the north Dallas market and four in Birmingham, Ala., continuing the chain's nationwide expansion...
Canada’s Loblaw Companies to open 70 new stores, renovate 191 locations in 2026
Loblaw Companies Limited — one of Canada’s largest retailers — is making big investments in its brick-and-mortar network and supply chain.
The food and pharmacy retailer said it will spend $2.4 billion in 2026 to expand and renovate its store network, enhance its supply chain capabilities and create jobs for people all across Canada. Loblaw will open 70 new stores in 2026, including 34 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix pharmacies and care clinics, and 31 “hard discount” No Frills and Maxi stores...
Planet Fitness to bulk up with nearly 200 new clubs this year
Planet Fitness plans to open nearly 200 clubs this year, focusing on space once occupied by struggling retailers and targeting the next generation of fitness enthusiasts for its membership.
The expansion comes as health-conscious Americans are willing to ante up to improve their physiques. The industry has sprung back from the pandemic, when there was a shakeout of gym chains after they were ordered to close their doors during COVID-19 lockdowns...
Home Depot Q4 tops estimates; opening 15 stores in 2026
The Home Depot topped Wall Street estimates for the first time in a year in its fourth quarter, but reported a 3.8% sales decline amid a stalled housing market, ongoing economic uncertainty, high mortgage rates and cautious consumers...
Wonder plans more than 100 Texas locations by end of 2027
The delivery- and pickup-focused restaurant company founded by former Walmart executive Marc Lore is expanding far beyond its Northeast roots.
Wonder announced it will open for business in Texas in 2027, marking its next phase of growth as a multi-region operator...
Canada’s Aritzia acquires iconic LA brand Fred Segal
Aritzia continues to move on its long-term strategy to expand in the U.S.

The Canada-based fashion retailer has acquired the Fred Segal brand and has leased 8100 Melrose Avenue — Fred Segal’s original flagship destination in Los Angeles (West Hollywood). The acquisition includes the Fred Segal brand, including intellectual property and trademarks. The purchase price was not disclosed...
Jack in the Box Targets Stability in 2026 as Value, Operations, and Tech Gain Traction
With Del Taco officially leaving the picture in December, Jack in the Box will now spend the rest of its 2026 fiscal calendar—and beyond—focusing on the core business.
And there is much work to do.
Systemwide same-store sales declined 6.7 percent in Q1 year-over-year, comprising a 7 percent decrease among franchises and a 4.7 percent drop among company-operated stores. The decreases resulted from softer transactions and negative menu mix, partially offset by menu price increases. CEO Lance Tucker attributed the performance gap between company and franchise units to corporate restaurants pricing lower and leaning more into digital promotions...
QSR Cap Rates Steady As Investors Shift to Quality
Globe St reports that the net-lease quick service restaurant (QSR) market closed out 2025 with average cap rates almost unchanged at 5.68%, according to B+E’s year-end report. Underneath that steady headline, the market showed a distinct shift: investors favored long-term leases with strong operators, driving tighter yields for top brands and spotlighting concept quality over broad sector movement...
16 Handles Proves Frozen Yogurt Category is Alive and Well
16 Handles CEO Neil Hershman has seen the news on frozen yogurt being a stale category.
He doesn’t entirely disagree. As he says, “Perceptions are based on some level of reality.”
Hershman saw legacy brands maintain the status quo. There was a refusal to evolve, meet cultural shifts, or deploy any engaging marketing. At the same time, they didn’t encourage franchisees to update stores or remain proactive in day-to-day management...
The second life of America’s shuttered pharmacies
The U.S. pharmacy sector is undergoing one of the most significant contractions in modern retail history, reshaping corners, intersections and neighborhood stores nationwide.
Since 2022, the unwinding of pandemic-driven demand and long-standing structural pressures has led to thousands of drugstore closings from the sector’s three primary operators...
