Restaurant Real Estate

Jackson Walker attorneys have the knowledge, skill, and experience to handle all aspects of restaurant real estate, including acquisition, disposition, development, and leasing. We assist both owners and operators with site selection and due diligence, advise them as to the proper business entity for their needs, and help them negotiate management agreements, franchise agreements, and financing. We possess the knowledge and experience in construction and development matters to see them from their original vision to a brick and mortar reality and then secure the necessary approvals to open and operate a successful establishment.

We represent all parties to the restaurant real estate transaction—developers, landlords, owners, and operators.  Because we have experience representing all sides, we have a bird’s eye view of the motivations of each and how to resolve issues in a way that works to the benefit of all parties and their future interdependent success.

For restaurants that lease their operating space, a strong lease agreement can make or break their business, and, in turn, affect a landlord or tenant’s success. Properly drafted lease terms regarding industry issues like liquor licenses, permitted uses, percentage rent, and contingency clauses are necessary to protect both the restaurateur and the landlord or property owner. Experienced representation is needed for more common commercial lease issues like the division of costs, condition of premises, parking arrangements, options to extend, assignability, and exclusivity.

Tiana Dunn and Michael Kuhn with Jackson Walker logo

December 14, 2021
Speaking Engagements

Tiana DeLeo Dunn and Michael Kuhn Discuss Retail Leases and Internet Sales at ICSC+U.S. Law Conference

Tiana Dunn and Michael Kuhn were featured during the 2021 ICSC+U.S. Law conference roundtable sessions. Presented by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), the conference was held on November 3-5, 2021, at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis in California.

More Restaurant Real Estate News

  • Acquisition and disposition
  • Construction and development
  • Build to suit
  • Zoning and regulatory issues
  • Startup funding and organizational matters
  • Choice of entity
  • Financing
  • Franchise agreements
  • Management agreements
  • Licensing
  • Operation covenants
  • Parking agreements
  • Liquor licensing
  • Buy-sell agreements

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