Are Private Equity Deals Changing Risk for NNN Retail Owners?

Marc Perlof • April 13, 2026
By Marc Perlof | MarcRetailGuy 
CA #01489206

April 13, 2026

If you own retail real estate, here’s what just changed for you.

Private equity ownership changes the risk profile of your tenant. Strong brands can become more efficient, but also more sensitive to costs over time. When private equity takes over retailers, your rent may become less predictable.

What is changing?
Private equity firms are buying or investing in retail brands. After the purchase, they often change how the business is run.

One common move is selling the real estate and leasing it back. The company becomes a tenant instead of an owner. This creates fixed rent payments.

They also focus on increasing profit quickly. That can include cutting costs, simplifying operations, and shifting more stores to franchisees. These changes can improve efficiency and free up capital, but they can also increase pressure on store-level performance.

Why this is happening?
Private equity is focused on returns within a set time frame. They use debt and operational changes to increase profits. Real estate is often treated as a source of cash, not a long-term hold.

What this does to your value?
How does this affect your property value? Your value depends on stable income. Higher leverage and tighter margins make your income less predictable.

Uncertainty leads to higher cap rates. Higher cap rates lower your value.
A 100 basis point increase in cap rate can reduce your property value by 12% to 18%, depending on income and buyer demand.

How are buyers underwriting this today?
Buyers are looking past the brand name. They are focusing on unit-level performance and rent levels.

If rent is too high compared to sales, they apply a higher cap rate or reduce their offer.

What happens if the tenant’s costs increase?
When rent, labor, and food costs rise at the same time, weaker locations start to underperform. That is when closures or lease renegotiations happen.

Strategic Advice for Retail Property Owners
What should you do right now? Review your tenant’s ownership structure. Know if the brand is private equity backed. Do not assume brand strength equals tenant strength.

What should you review in your lease?
Focus on rent relative to sales, if possible. Rent that gets too high as a percentage of sales creates risk. Also review lease term, options, and guarantor strength.

What should you prepare for?
Plan for more tenant scrutiny at sale. Buyers will ask deeper questions about store performance and long-term viability. Be ready to support your income with real numbers.

Real Deal Insight
In today’s market, buyers are underwriting rent relative to store performance or sales, franchisee versus corporate structure, and margin pressure. Deals that once traded aggressively are now being discounted when rent exceeds sustainable levels or when the tenant is more leveraged after a private equity transaction. This is showing up in pricing, cap rates, and buyer demand across Southern California.

Owner Self-Assessment
If your tenant’s costs increase, can they still comfortably pay your rent?

Market Data and Sources
  • Sale-leasebacks are widely used in restaurant and retail sectors to free up capital and create long-term lease obligations.¹
  • Private equity ownership often increases leverage, which can raise financial risk during downturns.²
  • Restaurant margins are sensitive to labor and food costs, which have increased in recent years.³

If you own retail real estate in Los Angeles or Southern California, this is already showing up in how buyers evaluate NNN properties, strip centers, and single-tenant assets.

If you are thinking about selling or refinancing in the next 12 to 24 months, now is the time to evaluate your tenant strength and pricing. Small shifts in cap rates can materially impact your exit value.

Is your tenant’s business strong enough to support your rent long term?

#RetailRealEstate #NNNProperties #FastFoodRealEstate #CommercialRealEstate #CapRates #LosAngelesRealEstate #CREInvesting #InvestmentProperty #NetLease #RetailInvesting

Sources

¹  National Restaurant Association, Restaurant Industry Overview, 2024–2025 

² Federal Reserve, Financial Stability Reports, 2024–2025

³ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Food and Labor Cost Trends, 2024–2025


Disclaimer

This post is for information only. It is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Always check with a licensed professional before making decisions.



© 2026 Marc Perlof Group. All rights reserved.


By Marc Perlof May 18, 2026
By Marc Perlof | MarcRetailGuy CA #01489206 May 18, 2026 If you own retail real estate, here’s what just changed for you. In some situations, removing the price can lead to stronger offers. This approach allows the market to determine value instead of limiting it upfront. When used correctly, it can create competition and improve your outcome. More retail properties are being marketed without a price. Brokers are using offer-driven strategies to let buyers compete based on their own assumptions. What is causing it? Differences in buyer expectations and uncertainty in valuation are driving this shift. In many cases, investors and developers value the same property differently, especially when there is upside or redevelopment potential. How does removing the price affect your value? Removing the price can eliminate the ceiling. Buyers are not anchored to a specific number, which can lead to stronger offers when demand is present. When multiple buyers are involved, this approach can create competition and push pricing higher. What is the risk? If demand is limited, offers may come in below expectations. This often happens when the buyer pool is thin or when the property has uncertainty, such as a short lease term, tenant risk, or redevelopment challenges. When should you use Request for Offers? Use it when there is strong demand and the property is expected to attract multiple buyers. Even in these situations, active buyers and brokers will often ask for pricing guidance or a whisper price to understand where the seller expects the deal to trade. When should you use a more flexible approach? Use submit offers when you want flexibility and are testing the market. This approach allows you to respond to buyer feedback while still maintaining control of the process. Some properties are marketed without a price because the broker does not have a clear view of value. That is not the same as a strategy. When used correctly, removing the price is intentional and supported by buyer demand, positioning, and a defined process. Without that structure, it can create confusion and weaker results. We are seeing strong assets generate multiple offers with this approach, while weaker deals struggle to gain traction without pricing guidance. This strategy is not about avoiding a price. It is about allowing the market to define it when the conditions support it. If you need context, review Part 2: “Should You List Your Retail Property With an Asking Price?” In next week’s final article, read “How Strategic Underpricing Can Increase Your Retail Property Sale Price” (Part 4) , including one approach many owners overlook. If you are considering an offer-driven strategy, reach out before going to market. I will help you determine if your property can support it and how to structure it properly. Call or DM me for more information. Would removing your price increase your value or create uncertainty? Based in Los Angeles. Serving Southern California. Active across California. Advising clients nationwide. #RetailRealEstate #CRE #InvestmentProperty #CommercialBroker #LosAngelesRealEstate #NNN #RetailInvesting #PropertySales
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By Marc Perlof May 11, 2026
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