Weekly Perl: A Commercial Real Estate News Recap

Marc Perlof • March 22, 2024
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Joann Files for Bankruptcy, Plans To Keep Stores Open


Joann, the leading U.S. seller of sewing supplies, has become the latest retailer to file for bankruptcy this year, but in this case, the chain plans to keep its 815 stores open. The Hudson, Ohio-based seller of fabrics as well as arts-and-crafts merchandise, said on Monday it is seeking voluntary Chapter 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the District of Delaware. 


A steak n shake sign is lit up at night

The Complex and Evolving Story of Steak ‘n Shake’s Comeback

 

Sardar Biglari can get philosophical when reflecting on Steak ‘n Shake. In 2022, he shared a quote from Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo. “The sculpture is already complete within the marble block before I start my work. I just have to chisel away the superfluous material.”  Biglari’s point was the chain had to cut “superfluous elements” to sculpt a business model that worked. “We Michelangelo’ed Steak ‘n Shake,” Biglari said at the time.


A hamburger and a cup of french fries are on a table.

Freddy’s Sets Up Growth for Many Years to Come

 

There was a real person behind the name Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. He was a man who grew up in Wichita, Kansas, enlisted in the Army, and came back a war hero with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal.  After serving his country, Freddy Simon entered the hospitality business, meaning his entire adult life was in the business of serving others, said Freddy’s CEO Chris Dull.


Dick's Sporting Goods

Dick’s posts ‘incredibly strong’ Q4; plans 'significant' 2024 sq. ft. growth


Dick’s Sporting Goods reported the strongest holiday sales quarter in its history along with earnings that were far ahead of Street estimates.The nation’s largest sporting goods raised its quarterly dividend 10% to $1.10 per share and forecast another year of positive growth. 


A chick-fil-a restaurant with a circular table in the middle of the room.

Chick-fil-A’s First Mobile Pickup Restaurant Set to Open in NYC


In the summer of 2023, Chick-fil-A unveiled a four-lane drive-thru design with capacity to serve 75 cars at once. Naturally, it was a headline firehouse, and one that illustrated a couple of points: Firstly, digital orders had grown to more than half of the brand’s sales in some markets. And secondly, asset evolution, in general, had come a long way industry-wide toward meeting a shift in consumer preference ignited by COVID conditions. 


A container of food with chicken , tomatoes , cucumbers , onions and lemons on a table.

Naya Seeks 200 Locations and Elevation of Middle Eastern Cuisine

 

Hady Kfoury founded Naya Mezze & Grill in 2008 to create a casual, yet fine-dining restaurant platform for traditional Lebanese and Middle Eastern food. He was inspired by his hospitality management studies at Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne in Switzerland and work with celebrity chefs Daniel Boulud and Francois Payard.


A tray of fried chicken , french fries , coleslaw , pickles and sandwiches.

Angry Chickz Spices Up Chicken Franchise Segment


David Mkhitaryan was hooked the moment he tried Nashville hot chicken. As a spicy food fanatic since childhood, Mkhitaryan took his experience from working in his family’s restaurant and set out to popularize the dish along the West Coast.


By Isaiah Angeles April 25, 2025
Council wants Downtown entertainment zone to be ‘bigger, broader better’ City Council members unanimously directed staff to develop a more ambitious entertainment zone for the Third Street Promenade this week, rejecting a limited pilot program in favor of a permanent, seven-days-a-week allowance for open container alcohol consumption throughout the area.
By Isaiah Angeles April 18, 2025
The Unintended Consequences of Measure ULA We present evidence suggesting that Measure ULA has reduced higher-end real estate transactions in Los Angeles. Since Measure ULA was enacted, the odds of a Los Angeles property selling at a price above its tax threshold have fallen by as much as 50%. In raw terms, this sharp decline occurred across all types of properties, but our strongest evidence suggests it was particularly pronounced for non-single family transactions, which fell by 30-50%.
By Marc Perlof April 11, 2025
Sam’s Club in big store remodeling and expansion move Sam’s Club is ramping up its expansion along with its investments in existing stores. 
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