Weekly Perl: A Commercial Real Estate News Recap

Marc Perlof • February 23, 2024
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A person is inserting a discover card into an atm machine

Capital One-Discover merger could put a bigger squeeze on credit card users, experts warn

 

Capital One’s $35.3 billion deal to buy Discover is a long way from being completed. But consumer advocates and some lawmakers are already raising questions about how the proposed merger could affect credit-card users — many of whom are already under pressure from high interest rates and record debts. 

A shoe store with a round bench in the middle of the room.

Philly Could Snag First Michael Jordan-Branded World Of Flight Store In The U.S.


Nike has targeted Philadelphia as the first known U.S. market for a retail concept store dedicated to its Michael Jordan brand.The activewear giant is eyeing 1617 Walnut St. as the site of a Jordan World of Flight, the Philadelphia Business Journal first reported. The report was backed up by city records indicatingMBH Architects had applied for final permission to change signage and the facade of the building to make way for the retail venture. 

A man is standing on a stage in front of a large screen that says go to foods.

Auntie Anne’s and Cinnabon parent company Focus Brands rebrands to GoTo Foods


Auntie Anne’s, Cinnabon, and Jamba parent company Focus Brands announced Tuesday morning the company’s rebranding to GoTo Foods. GoTo Foods’ new name and identity represents its “continued transformation into a platform company,” and will also be the start of a new era of growth and change for the Atlanta-based foodservice company. 

A mcdonald 's sign against a blue sky with clouds

Fast-Food Franchising Stands Up to Economic Headwinds


It’s been a common theme in recent years for franchising to prove resilient during whatever rocky backdrop was in order. Last year, the International Franchise Association’s annual Economic Outlook report revealed job and unit growth outpacing 2019 levels. And of the myriad franchising fields, quick-service restaurants, along with “service-based industries,” projected as the highest-growth vehicles going forward.

A mcdonald 's sign next to a cosmos sign

McDonald's vs CosMc's: 5 Major Differences


If you've been at all tuned in to the world of fast food in the past six months, you've probably heard lots of talk about a chain called CosMc's. This brand-new spinoff concept was created by one of the world's preeminent fast-food chains: McDonald's. So, as you can probably imagine, the buzz around CosMc's has been pretty wild.

A billboard for popeye 's wings go is above a building

Popeyes Sets Sights on 800 New Locations, and a Lot More Wings


Restaurant Brands International last Thursday became the latest group to outline a massive growth agenda. In this case, the Burger King, Popeyes, Firehouse Subs, and Tim Hortons owner shared it would reach 40,000 restaurants, $60 billion in systemwide sales, and $3.2 billion in adjusted operating income by 2028. That suggests average annual same-store sales growth of 3 percent-plus, over 5 percent net unit growth, and systemwide sales expansion north of 8 percent.

A grocery outlet store is now open in the rain.

Grocery Outlet Holding to buy United Grocery Outlet


Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. is acquiring United Grocery Outlet, a discount grocer operating in the Southeastern United States, the company reported on Friday. United Grocery Outlet’s 40 stores and distribution center will enable the grocer to expand into Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, and Virginia.

A man in a wheelchair is standing in front of a counter in a restaurant.

Starbucks Creates New Store Design to Aid Guests and Workers with Disabilities


Starbucks on Friday announced new store design standards that provide better access to employees and customers with disabilities. Called the Inclusive Spaces Framework, the guidelines will become the norm for all new and renovated U.S. stores. “At Starbucks, we have challenged ourselves to imagine what’s possible when we take a closer look at the many ways our partners and customers interact with us and experience our stores every day,” Katie Young, senior vice president of store operations, said in a statement. “Building and scaling an Inclusive Store Framework is central to our mission of connection and will lead to greater access for all.” 

A shoe carnival store with cars parked in front of it

Shoe Carnival acquires Midwestern shoe retailer


Shoe Carnival has acquired a Midwest footwear chain, expanding its store presence. The footwear retailer has acquired Rogan Shoes, a work and family footwear company with 28 locations in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois. The purchase price was put at $45 million, subject to further adjustments, with the transaction funded entirely with cash on hand. 

An aerial view of a bank building with a lot of windows.

PNC Bank To Invest $1 Billion To Expand, Revamp US Retail Network

 

PNC Bank plans to open more than 100 retail banking centers, primarily in the nation's Sun Belt, as well as renovate more than 1,200 existing locations in its national real estate portfolio through 2028.The proposed expansion by the Pittsburgh-based bank, expected to cost about $1 billion, comes as other banks have exited some of its less desirable retail branches throughout the United States.

By Marc Perlof October 31, 2025
Fed Cuts Rates Again, Boosting Confidence in CRE Recovery In a closely watched decision, the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate for the second consecutive month. The new target range of 3.75% to 4% reflects continued efforts to ease financial conditions and stabilize capital markets, even as economic signals remain mixed...
By Marc Perlof October 27, 2025
If you own retail real estate, here’s what might change for you. The hospitality workers’ union UNITE HERE Local 11 is pushing a bold new initiative to raise the City of Los Angeles $30 minimum wage for all city employees by July 1, 2028¹. While the first ordinance covered hotel and airport workers, the union’s latest ballot measure would extend this wage citywide². As an expert in retail real estate, here’s what that means for your properties. Higher wages will immediately impact tenant affordability and rent-to-sales ratio calculations that drive lease viability. Many retailers operate with payroll costs at 25 to 35 percent of gross revenue, leaving little cushion for a wage that’s nearly double the current state minimum of $16/hour³. When margins tighten, tenants face a choice: raise prices, cut staff, or negotiate rent. For landlords, that translates into valuation pressure because commercial property values depend on stable rental income. The small business impact in Los Angeles could be profound. Independent restaurants, boutiques, and service operators, the lifeblood of local shopping centers, run on razor-thin profits. If forced to meet a $30 wage, some may relocate to cities like Burbank or Glendale, where municipal wage laws are lower, or close entirely⁴. That shift could spark short-term vacancy spikes and longer lease-up periods. Still, there’s a possible upside. When low-wage workers earn more, they spend more locally. For well-positioned centers with necessity-based tenants: grocers, pharmacies, quick-service restaurants, rising wages could strengthen revenue resilience. Key takeaways for retail landlords: Audit tenant financial health and exposure to rising payroll costs. Review lease clauses that address operating-cost pass-throughs. Model new rent-to-sales thresholds under a $30 wage scenario. Track tenant retention and market-rent shifts across nearby cities. Prepare for valuation adjustments as cap rates reflect greater income volatility. If you own retail real estate in the City of Los Angeles, now’s the time to stress-test your portfolio. Let’s review your leases before this wage shift hits. Call or DM me for more information. When the $30 wage arrives, will higher pay strengthen LA’s consumer base or hollow out the city’s small-business retail core? #LosAngeles30MinimumWage #RetailRealEstateInLosAngeles #TenantAffordabilityAndRentToSalesRatio #SmallBusinessImpactLosAngeles #CommercialPropertyValuesLosAngeles
By Marc Perlof October 24, 2025
Toys"R"Us opening 10 flagships, 20 seasonal shops — here are all the locations The brick and mortar comeback of Toys"R"Us is moving into high gear ahead of the toy industry’s busiest season. In September, the retailer said that, in partnership with Go! Retail Group, it was planning to open 10 flagships and 20 seasonal holiday shops in the U.S. by year's end...
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