NNN Lease Market News
Calkain Companies, a national real estate investment brokerage firm, recently procured the $900,000 sale of a Burger King NNN investment property in Fort Myers, Florida. The property at 9041 College Parkway is operated by Furman's Inc, a regional franchisee of Burger King for over 30 years. The property is situated on .9 acres of land at the hard corner of College Parkway and South Pointe Blvd.
Patrick Nutt, Senior Associate of Calkain Realty Advisors, the private market division of Calkain Companies, represented both parties in this transaction. Nutt commented, "The real estate was the driving force on this deal. It's a quality corner where the tenant has occupied the space for a very long time." Nutt continued, "Even after seeing effective rents in the market decrease over the past two years, the existing lease is well below market, offering the buyer potential upside at the end of this lease term."
This sale marks the third closing in less than a month for Nutt, possibly signaling a turn in the perception of the investment market. Nutt remarked, "If you have a high credit tenant or high quality real estate, there is considerable demand for those assets, often attracting cash buyers looking to capitalize on the higher returns offered in net lease investments compared to the historically low interest rates of a traditional certificate of deposit or money market account."
Meanwhile, Burger King franchisees are spending big to take part in Burger King's massive, chain-wide remodeling program. The plan calls for all 12,000 worldwide stores to be fitted with rotating chandeliers, electronic-screen menus, and walls of brick and corrugated steel. The cost is reportedly between $300,000 and $600,000 per store.
It's all very confusing for the fast-food consumer. Burger King, even while positioning itself as the place to procure sacks of cheap burgers to be eaten on the run, also seems intent on also competing directly with "fast casual" chains like Chipotle (CMG) and Panera (PNRA), and even with straight-up, sit-down restaurants like Applebee's.
McDonald's, meanwhile, is offering premium, high-margin products, but without shedding its fast-food identity. Everything it sells -- the premium stuff, the healthy stuff, the coffee -- is affordable and convenient. And while it, too, is upgrading its stores, it's not trying to make them look like anything other than McDonald's outlets, where you can grab what you need and be on your way.
It will be interesting to see what the new Brazilian owners will make of Burger King's grandiose vision. Chidsey will step down as CEO, but will remain as a co-chairman along with Alex Behring, 3G's managing director. Supposedly they'll work together to find a new chief.
So far, a few dozen outlets have taken part in the remodeling. While the revamped stores, according to the company, have boosted sales by 12% to 15%, 3G will be looking for ways to cut costs (as is the wont of PE shops) as well as cheaper ways to boost the top line. Of course, 3G has promised to invest big in the chain, but given that it's paying $4 billion, or $24 a share -- a 46% premium to its share price earlier this week -- the new owners will have to show much more care in deploying such investments than Burger King has during its four-year life. NNN properties for sale are typically free standing buildings that are leased to tenants for a 10 to 25 year term. They offer the benefit of little or no management responsibilities as the tenant pays for all, if not most of the expenses. The investor receives their rent with little to no other involvement.
