Closed retail deals — and the approach behind them.

The situation

An Aliso Viejo restaurant operator wanted out of the space without dark-period rent loss for the landlord and without giving up the asset value sitting in the existing buildout. A potential incoming operator was interested but needed a path through the asset transfer, the liquor license, and a lease structure that fit their balance sheet.

Outcome

Three months from engagement to new lease execution. The outgoing operator exited cleanly with asset value preserved. The landlord avoided dark-period rent loss. The incoming operator stepped into a turnkey restaurant with a personal guarantee scoped to their capacity.

What we negotiated

• Structured asset transfer terms between the outgoing and incoming operators so the buildout, equipment, and goodwill changed hands at a defensible value.
• Coordinated the ABC liquor license transfer alongside the lease assignment so neither side carried risk on the licensing timeline.
• Scoped the personal guarantee on the new lease to fit the incoming operator's balance sheet rather than carrying forward the outgoing operator's terms.
• Walked the landlord through new-tenant approval and consent so the relet closed without re-pricing the deal.

The situation

A San Juan Capistrano shopping center landlord had a small-shop vacancy and a pilates studio operator interested in the space. The deal needed a term long enough for the operator to amortize buildout, with escalations, exclusivity scope, and TI structure that protected the landlord and the rest of the center's tenant mix.

Outcome

The landlord secured a 5-year stable tenant in a use category that complements the rest of the center. The studio operator got a runway long enough to amortize buildout and grow membership.

What we negotiated

• Structured a 5-year lease that aligned the operator's buildout payback period with the landlord's stability objectives.
• Negotiated escalations and TI scope so the landlord's contribution matched the long-term value of the use, not the short-term cost of the buildout.
• Scoped use exclusivity narrowly enough to protect the studio's category without restricting the rest of the center's leasing flexibility.
• Set a buildout timeline and rent-commencement structure that kept both sides aligned on opening risk.