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Tallman-Hotel-Upper-Lake-CA
AcquisitionsCaliforniaHospitalityRestaurantRetailWestern

Curtis Holdings Sells Tallman Hotel, Blue Wing Saloon in Lake County, California

by Amy Works

UPPER LAKE, CALIF. — Curtis Holdings has completed the disposition of Tallman Hotel and Blue Wing Saloon, located at 9550 Main St. and 9520 Main St., respectively, in Upper Lake. Amar and Rajvi Alapati acquired the assets for an undisclosed price. The buyers will add the properties to its Serenity Hotels Collection. Alex Lee-Bull and Lauren Liebes of CBRE represented the seller. The Tallman Hotel offers 17 rooms across nine buildings. Originally built in 1896, the hotel was renovated between 2002 and 2005 and reopened in 2006 with modern amenities, including an outdoor swimming pool, gardens and a meeting room. Select rooms offer outdoor showers and Japanese Ofuro soaking tubs.

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FeaturesKentuckyRestaurantSoutheastSoutheast Feature Archive

Quick-Service Restaurants Embrace Digital Transformation, AI Revolution

by John Nelson

By Casey Smallwood of SRS Real Estate Partners In today’s fiercely competitive quick-service restaurant (QSR) market, digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping how brands operate, engage with customers and create value. An industry once defined by speed and consistency is now being reshaped by data, automation and intelligent personalization. Across the country, QSRs are embracing cutting-edge technologies to improve operations, enhance the customer experience and maximize profitability. From mobile ordering apps to AI-powered drive-thru automation and predictive inventory management, these innovations are redefining the QSR business model. To stay competitive and relevant in today’s fast-changing market, franchise operators, developers and commercial real estate investors must understand and adapt to these technology-driven shifts. At the heart of this evolution is digital transformation — the integration of digital technology across all aspects of the business. In the QSR landscape, this includes everything from mobile ordering apps, digital menu boards to contactless payment systems, smart kitchen equipment and sophisticated customer relationship management (CRM) tools. Unlike full-service restaurants that emphasize ambiance and table service, QSRs succeed by offering speed, convenience and consistency. Digital transformation amplifies these core strengths, allowing operators to serve more customers faster and more accurately while also collecting and …

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LoansMarylandRestaurantRetailSoutheastVirginia

MMCC Arranges $17M Refinancing for Retail Portfolio in Metro D.C.

by John Nelson

SILVER SPRING, MD. AND FAIRFAX, VA. — Marcus & Millichap Capital Corp. (MMCC) has arranged a $17 million loan for the refinancing of a nine-property retail portfolio located in the Washington, D.C. suburbs of Silver Spring, Md., and Fairfax, Va. The properties — which total roughly 71,000 square feet — include multi-tenant retail strip centers, single-tenant retail properties and single-tenant restaurants. Jared Cassidy of MMCC’s D.C. office secured the five-year loan through a local bank. The financing carries a 12-month adjustable rate, 25-year amortization schedule and a 55 percent loan-to-value ratio.

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DevelopmentFloridaHospitalityRestaurantRetailSoutheastTop Stories

Universal Orlando Resort to Open 750-Acre Epic Universe Theme Park on May 22

by John Nelson

ORLANDO, FLA. — Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park, Epic Universe, is officially opening on May 22, marking the first major theme park to open in Central Florida in 26 years, according to CNN. The new park will include five distinct components: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Dark Universe. According to multiple media outlets, Epic Universe is estimated to have cost roughly $7.7 billion to build, although Universal Orlando Resort hasn’t commented on the new park’s price tag. At 750 acres, including both guest areas and backstage space for employees, Epic Universe is also reported to be the largest singular theme park in the world. The main hub of Epic Universe will be Celestial Park, which offers guests two rides — a dual-track roller coaster and a carousel — as well as shops, restaurants and bars. From this hub, guests can choose to enter four other portals, with each leading to a different themed land. Dark Universe brings the famous “Universal Pictures Monsters,” including Dracula, the Wolf Man and the Invisible Man, to life, along with its anchor attraction, “Monsters Unchained: …

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AlabamaMarket ReportsRestaurantRetailSoutheastSoutheast Market Reports

Birmingham Retail Market: Stability Amid Changing Dynamics

by John Nelson

Birmingham’s retail market continues to demonstrate resilience despite national economic challenges. With a vacancy rate of 3.8 percent — slightly below the national average of 4.1 percent — and rental rates holding steady at $13.13 per square foot, the city remains an attractive destination for both investors and tenants.  However, rising interest rates have slowed development and softened transaction volumes, reshaping the investment landscape. Macroeconomic trends  The intersection of economic pressures and shifting consumer habits is redefining Birmingham’s retail landscape. Across the nation, big-box retailer bankruptcies have contributed to negative net absorption of 346,200 square feet over the past year, and Birmingham has felt similar effects. The closure of Conn’s HomePlus, among other retailers, has contributed to this contraction. Despite these challenges, suburban retail demand remains robust. Homewood, Hoover and Alabaster are experiencing continued growth, and Crestwood Festival Shopping Center has added new tenants like Fun City Adventure and Armor Gym occupying 100,000 square feet. These trends highlight the increasing popularity of experiential retail, as consumers gravitate toward destinations that offer more than just traditional shopping. Development slows New retail construction has slowed significantly, with only 130,000 square feet delivered in the past year — well below historical averages. However, …

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Leasing ActivityRestaurantRetailTexas

Baker Katz Arranges Two Restaurant Leases for Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen in South Texas

by Taylor Williams

DONNA AND MCALLEN, TEXAS — Houston-based brokerage firm Baker Katz has arranged two restaurant leases in South Texas for Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen. The first deal is for a 6,142-square-foot space in Donna, and the second deal is for a restaurant within Trenton North Shopping Center in McAllen. Brian Smith of Merit Commercial Real Estate represented the landlord in the Donna transaction, and Louie Tijernia of CBRE represented the landlord in the McAllen transaction. Jason Baker and Traci Holman of Baker Katz represented the parent company and operator, Orlando-based Darden Restaurants Inc. The openings are slated for the third and fourth quarter, respectively.

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AcquisitionsCompany NewsGeorgiaRestaurantRetailSoutheast

Hooters Files for Bankruptcy, Plans to Sell All Company-Owned Restaurants to Franchisees

by John Nelson

ATLANTA — HOA Restaurant Group, parent company of restaurant chain Hooters, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, entering into a Restructuring Support Agreement (RSA) that will facilitate the continued operation of the company’s restaurants under new ownership. Hooters restaurants will continue to operate as usual throughout the bankruptcy process. A partnership between two existing Hooters franchisees, Hooters Inc. and Hoot Owl Restaurants, reached an agreement with Hooters of America (HOA) to acquire more than 100 HOA-owned Hooters restaurants, which, when added with the franchisees’ existing holdings, will account for approximately 70 percent of Hooters’ domestic locations. Upon completion of the Chapter 11 process, all Hooters locations will be franchisee-owned. Hooters Brand Management (HBM) will provide most of the franchise support for the company, including oversight of the national ad fund, the central purchasing organization and franchise development and support. North Point Mergers & Acquisitions represented the buying group, Hooters Inc. and Hoot Owl Restaurants, while Morrison & Foerster LLP is serving as their legal counsel.

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Leasing ActivityRestaurantRetailTexas

Baker Katz Arranges Two Restaurant Leases for Olive Garden in South Texas

by Taylor Williams

PORTLAND AND EDINBURG, TEXAS — Houston-based brokerage firm Baker Katz has arranged two leases in South Texas for Olive Garden. The first deal is for a 7,805-square-foot restaurant in Portland, located outside of Corpus Christi, and the second deal is for a 7,825-square-foot space in the Rio Grande Valley city of Edinburg. Lynann Pinkham of Cravey Real Estate Services represented the landlord in the Portland transaction, and Ron Reimer of First Hartford Realty represented the landlord in the Edinburg transaction. Jason Baker and Traci Holman of Baker Katz represented the parent company and operator, Orlando-based Darden Restaurants Inc. The openings are slated for the second quarter of 2025 and sometime in 2026, respectively.

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DevelopmentGeorgiaLeasing ActivityRestaurantRetailSoutheast

Halpern Enterprises Delivers Retail Strip Center in McDonough, Georgia

by John Nelson

MCDONOUGH, GA. — Halpern Enterprises has completed a 6,486-square-foot, multi-tenant retail strip center located at 5905 E. Lake Parkway in McDonough, a southern suburb of Atlanta. The three-tenant property is part of the 20-acre North McDonough Village mixed-use development. The property features a 2,486-square-foot Starbucks Coffee with a drive-thru, a 2,000-square-foot available space and a 2,000-square-foot dentist’s office. Starbucks recently opened for business at the center on a 10-year lease. Brad Oppenheimer led the project on behalf of Halpern and secured the lease with Starbucks. Palmer Bayless of Emerge Real Estate Services represented Starbucks in the lease negotiations.

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Northshore-Mall-Peabody
DevelopmentMassachusettsNortheastRestaurantRetail

Simon Completes Redevelopment of Northshore Mall in Peabody, Massachusetts

by Taylor Williams

PEABODY, MASS. — Simon Property Group has completed the redevelopment of Northshore Mall, a shopping, dining and entertainment destination located north of Boston in Peabody. Among the new tenants that have either recently been announced or opened new stores/facilities at Northshore Mall are Life Time Fitness, which opened a 116,000-square-foot athletic resort with multiple pools and spa facilities, as well as Arhaus and L.L. Bean. Interactive gaming experience Immersive Gamebox is also now part of Northshore Mall’s lineup of entertainment users, as is Golf Lounge 18 and Gametime Lanes & Entertainment, which offers bowling and other games in addition to food and drink. Dick’s Sporting Goods will open a new store at the property in 2026 under its “House of Sport” brand, and construction is now underway on a 142-room hotel that will be operated under the Residence Inn by Marriott brand. Conventional retailers that have also recently joined the tenant roster include Lululemon, Hollister, It’Sugar and Sandmagination, while the food-and-beverage component now features the likes of Sweetgreen, Big Chicken and Honeygrow, with Vermont-based Skinny Pancake and ice cream chain Van Leeuwen scheduled to open in the coming weeks. Lastly, electric vehicle maker Tesla recently debuted a new showroom at …

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