Panda Express built a multi-billion-dollar fast food empire on Orange Chicken & Chow Mein… but the real secret isn’t on the menu. It’s in the real estate strategy that makes nearly every Panda location a goldmine before the doors even open.What Retailers Want — Ray CRE Broker’s continuing saga exploring retailers and the real estate strategies behind their brick-and-mortar locations.In this episode, we break down:🍜 How Panda Express grew from a single food court stall to 2,400+ corporate-owned restaurants📍 Panda’s strict site criteria: drive-thrus, traffic counts, co-tenancy, and land ownership📊 A real-world case study at 11220 Huebner Rd in San Antonio (5-mile demographics, traffic counts, lifestyle segments, and nearby anchors like H-E-B, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, and Pei Wei)🥡 Why Panda dominates the Asian fast-casual category with almost no true competition🏢 What this means for real estate investors and site selection moving forwardPanda Express doesn’t just serve food — they’ve engineered one of the most successful site-selection formulas in the restaurant industry.👉 Do you think Panda will keep dominating Asian fast casual, or will another challenger step up? Comment below with your thoughts — and let me know which retailer I should cover next on What Retailers Want.#PandaExpress #WhatRetailersWant #RetailRealEstate #commercialrealestate -------Chapters0:00 - Intro0:47 - The Foundation2:39 - The Secret Recipe3:00 - Ingredient 13:38 - Ingredient 24:39 - Ingredient 35:48 - Ingredient 47:11 - Panda Expanding7:38 - Actual Location Case Study9:15 - Closing10:11 - Fortune Cookies Outro------🎥 Watch more What Retailers Want:    • What Retailers Want  📩 Subscribe to Ray CRE Broker:    / @raycrebroker  📈 Connect with me on LinkedIn:   / raycrebroker  🌐 Learn more: https://www.raycrebroker.com👀 Recommended Playlists: • Retail Real Estate News & Strategy • CRE IQ Newsletter on LinkedIn:   / cre-intelligence-quotient-7239351446058455040  

Raising Cane's success with just chicken tenders shows the power of focus in the fast food industry. But, what happens when successful brands explore brand extension, and risk brand dilution? Let's explore the recipe for success, and why the best chicken tenders come from a simple menu.⸻What Retailers Want – Ray CRE Broker’s continuing saga exploring how top retailers choose their brick-and-mortar locations, and what it means for investors.Raising Cane’s has grown from one college-town shop in Louisiana to 900+ locations nationwide, with average unit volumes over $5 million. But they don’t pick sites at random. Their expansion is laser-focused — visibility, drive-thru capacity, fast-food frequency, and household demographics all play a role.In this episode, we cover:• The brand story: Todd Graves’ journey from rejected business plan to $5B brand.• Site criteria: traffic counts, demographics, and why Cane’s is obsessed with drive-thrus.• Case study: SW Military Drive in San Antonio — 1 million visits, median incomes ~$50K, 90% Hispanic trade area, and cross-shopping with South Park Mall + H-E-B.• Future growth: nearly 100 new stores opening in 2025, iconic sites coming in 2026 like SoFi Stadium (LA) and Fisherman’s Wharf (SF).• Investment profile: 15–20 year NNN leases, 10% rent bumps, $5M AUV, and 2025 cap rates in the 4.5%–5.0% range.📍 Featured Location: Raising Cane’s – 2525 SW Military Dr, San Antonio, TX💬 Who’s winning the Chicken Wars — Cane’s, Chick-fil-A, or Popeyes? Drop your answer in the comments, and let me know which retailer we should cover next on What Retailers Want.⸻📌 #RaisingCanes #WhatRetailersWant #CommercialRealEstate #RetailRealEstate #NetLease #ChickenWars⸻🎥 Watch more episodes of What Retailers Want: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw25GSQLxGo&list=PLH-TFnCjG4vLFzE_Nj6Mhr7Hn2gj1gi55📩 Subscribe to Ray CRE Broker: https://www.raycrebroker.com📈 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raycrebroker🌐 Learn more: raycrebroker.com

Chipotle site selection strategy explained. Why Chipotle real estate decisions matter, how Chipotle chooses locations like Potranco Rd in San Antonio, and why their $3M+ average unit sales make them one of the most powerful tenants in commercial real estate. In this episode of What Retailers Want with Ray CRE Broker, we break down Chipotle’s site criteria, the role of Chipotlanes, and what investors should know about Chipotle NNN leases.Chipotle makes more than $3 million per restaurant — outperforming McDonald’s and Starbucks. But their success isn’t just about burritos… it’s about real estate strategy.In this episode, we cover:• The Chipotle checklist: demographics, the 2,400 SF box, visibility, and the Chipotlane.• Why Potranco Rd in San Antonio is a perfect case study: 100K+ annual visits, $106K median household income, 28,570 daily cars.• The consumer behavior data: 45% of adults eating fast food 9+ times a month, larger households (3.3 avg), and strong co-tenants like H-E-B, Starbucks, Whataburger, and LA Fitness.• The investment profile: 10-year corporate-guaranteed NNN leases, 7–10% rent bumps, and cap rates under 5.25%.📍 Featured Location: Chipotle, 14218 Potranco Rd, San Antonio, TX💬 Do you think Chipotlanes are the future of fast casual, or just a fad? Drop your take in the comments — and let me know which retailer you want me to break down next.__________Chapters00:00 Chipotle's Financial Success and Real Estate Strategy02:51 Site Selection Criteria for Chipotle04:45 Analyzing the Petrenko Road Location05:02 Future of Fast Casual and Audience Engagement__________🎥 Watch more What Retailers Want:    • What Retailers Want  📩 Subscribe to Ray CRE Broker:    / @raycrebroker  📈 Connect with me on LinkedIn:   / raycrebroker  🌐 Learn more: https://www.raycrebroker.com👀 Recommended Playlists:• Retail Real Estate News & Strategy• CRE IQ Newsletter on LinkedIn:   / cre-intelligence-quotient-7239351446058455040  __________Thanks to Chipotle, ESRI, Placer.ai, Crexi and other remarkable data sources.Thank you. Please Like, Subscribe and Share. It helps to make better videos and share better information with you.

What Retailers Want – Ray CRE Broker’s continuing saga in exploring retailers and what makes them choose the brick-and-mortar locations they’re in.We all love Chick-fil-A — and the proof is in those drive-thru lines wrapping around the block. From suburban shopping centers to freeway exits, their restaurants have become fixtures of American life.In this episode, we explore:• Chick-fil-A’s history – from Truett Cathy’s first sandwich shop in 1946 to over 3,000 locations nationwide.• Their real estate strategy today – why corporate chooses every site, how throughput drives design, and what makes them the most disciplined QSR in the country.• Site criteria that matter – traffic counts, lot size, drive-thru capacity, and co-tenancy.• Real-world case study – Chick-fil-A at 18120 San Pedro Ave in San Antonio, TX, with 47,000+ vehicles per day and a booming 5-mile trade area.• CRE investment profile – why Chick-fil-A ground leases are among the most sought-after in the triple-net lease market.Chick-fil-A isn’t just selling chicken — they’re engineering sites to maximize performance, capture peak dayparts, and drive industry-leading sales per unit.👉 What retailer should we cover next? Drop a comment with the brand and even a location in your neighborhood — it might be featured in a future episode of What Retailers Want.

Connect with me on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/raycrebroker

Visit my homepage for more inquiries: https://www.raycrebroker.com______

What Retailers Want is back, this time focusing on Chick-fil-A and their real estate strategy. Chick-fil-A's focus on throughput and strategic locations are key to their success, making them industry leaders. The video explores how their real estate choices and focus on throughput help them earn the highest sales per store in the fast food industry, with drive thru lines wrapping around the block.

What Retailers Want – Ray CRE Broker’s continuing saga in exploring retailers and what makes them choose the brick-and-mortar locations they are found.In this episode, we break down Subway’s history, their shift from rapid expansion to strategic growth, and exactly what they look for in a site today. We’ll dive into their Fresh Forward 2.0 remodel program, explore the “why” behind their official site criteria, and connect it all to a real-world example at 2800 Thousand Oaks Dr, San Antonio, TX.You’ll learn:• How Subway grew from one sandwich shop in Connecticut to the largest restaurant chain in the U.S.• Why they’re focusing on quality over quantity in their store network.• What Fresh Forward 2.0 means for design, operations, and customer experience.• The role of traffic counts, demographics, and peak lunch/dinner hours in site selection.• Why the Thousand Oaks location hits every mark on their checklist.Subway's story is a true subway success story, rising to the top by opening stores everywhere. Now, they're shifting focus to quality control, aiming for fewer but better locations. The video explores this trend and what it means for the future of this fast food giant and its restaurants.📍 Want to see your favorite retailer featured? Comment with the brand name — and even a specific location in your neighborhood — and we might feature it in a future What Retailers Want episode.Connect with me on LinkedIn:   / raycrebroker  Visit my homepage at: https://www.raycrebroker.com

In this conversation, Ray Kang CCIM, a commercial real estate broker, delves into the strategic site selection criteria of Dutch Brothers, a rapidly growing coffee brand. He discusses the brand's unique operational model, target demographics, and the specific characteristics they seek in potential locations. The conversation also highlights a real-world case study of a Dutch Brothers location, illustrating the application of their site selection strategy. Finally, Ray emphasizes the brand's evolving approach to growth and performance metrics, providing insights for potential investors and site owners.TakeawaysDutch Brothers focuses on drive-through only formats.Their target demographic includes Gen Z and young families.They prefer locations with high traffic and visibility.The brand aims for $2 million in average unit volume.They utilize data-driven strategies for site selection.Dutch Brothers is expanding into new regions strategically.They are pruning underperforming sites aggressively.The company prefers build-to-suit development partnerships.Their lease terms are favorable for long-term investment.The brand is refining its approach to market clustering._____

Let me know what retailer you want to learn about and what they are looking for in a location. Plus, let's look at an actual location you know.Connect with me at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/raycrebroker

https://www.raycrebroker.com

In this episode, Ray Kang discusses the critical issue of vacancy in retail properties, emphasizing the importance of proactive management to anticipate and mitigate its effects. He outlines the hidden costs associated with vacancy, including cash flow loss, decreased property valuation, and negative tenant morale. Ray advocates for early engagement with tenants and strategic marketing to ensure minimal downtime and maintain property value. The conversation highlights the need for property owners to be aware of lease expirations and to have a clear plan in place to address potential vacancies.

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Takeaways

Vacancy is a drag on value, not just rent loss.

Cash flow, valuation, and tenant morale are affected by vacancy.

Proactive leasing is essential to avoid reactive patterns.

Start marketing spaces 9-12 months before they become vacant.

Good operators begin leasing conversations early.

A broker should help in planning and marketing.

Zero downtime can be achieved with proactive strategies.

Understanding tenant performance is crucial for retention.

Review your marketing strategy regularly.

Great tenants are built through relationships, not just found.

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Chapters

00:00 Understanding Vacancy in Retail Properties

02:49 The Hidden Costs of Vacancy

06:01 Proactive Leasing Strategies

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Work with me: https://www.raycrebroker.com

🎙️ Episode 3: Is Your Equity Lazy? How to Make Your Capital Work Harder

Ray CRE Broker Podcast | Hosted by Ray Kang CCIM

Many retail property owners are sitting on a goldmine—and don’t realize it. In this episode, Ray explains the concept of lazy equity and how simply having a paid-off or high-equity property doesn’t mean you’re building wealth.

We unpack:

• What “Return on Equity” (ROE) actually means

• How to measure performance beyond just occupancy

• Why holding capital without a plan is quietly costing you

• The questions every owner should ask about their equity

• Actionable ways to make your money work harder

Whether you’re debt-free or fully leveraged, the key is knowing how your equity is performing.

🎧 Next Episode Preview: Why Vacancy is a Cancer and How to Cure It

📬 Want help running your numbers? No pressure—just reach out to Ray at [email protected]

In this episode, Ray challenges retail property owners to rethink the “mailbox money” mindset and instead adopt the discipline of a real business operator. While 100% occupancy and regular rent checks might feel like success, it’s often a deceptive comfort zone that masks slow financial erosion.Ray breaks down what it really means to treat your property like a business—from auditing expenses and budgeting for capital reserves, to renegotiating vendor contracts and staying connected with tenants. He shares a real-life contrast between two owners with similar assets—but dramatically different outcomes—showing the power of intentional ownership.Whether you self-manage or work with a third party, this mindset shift could be the key to protecting your income, growing equity, and securing future options.

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Takeaways

• Treat your retail property like a business, not just mailbox money.
• Trouble in retail real estate builds quietly and slowly.
• Regularly track and audit your expenses to avoid losses.
• Budget for capital reserves to prepare for major repairs.
• Review and renegotiate vendor contracts every few years.
• Stay connected to your tenants to foster good relationships.
• Good tenants are built through strong relationships.
• Consistent small moves can change the trajectory of your property.
• Mailbox ownership leads to stagnant results; active management builds wealth.
• Staying connected to your investment opens future options.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Retail Property Investment Mindset

03:05 Treating Your Property Like a Business

05:29 Key Strategies for Successful Property Management

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Summary

Ray CRE Broker emphasizes the critical importance of understanding key financial metrics for retail property ownership. He discusses how many property owners overlook essential numbers that can significantly impact their investment's health and long-term success. Key metrics such as Net Operating Income (NOI), Return on Equity (ROE), Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR), and lease expiration schedules are highlighted as vital for maintaining control and ensuring profitability in real estate investments.

Takeaways

• Most owners aren't focused enough on their numbers.
• Understanding NOI is crucial for assessing property health.
• Return on equity can diminish if cash flow doesn't grow.
• A healthy DSCR indicates financial stability.
• Lease expiration management is key to cash flow control.
• Visibility into financial metrics equals better control.
• Property management requires active involvement, not passivity.
• Investors should treat properties as businesses, not lottery tickets.
• Monitoring key numbers can prevent future financial issues.
• Strategic management leads to long-term success in real estate.

Sound Bites

"NOI is your property's lifeline."

Chapters

00:00 Understanding the Importance of Numbers in Real Estate

01:14 Number One is Net Operating Income

01:52 Number Two is Return On Equity

02:42 Number Three is Debt Service Coverage Ratio

03:24 Number Four is Occupancy and Lease Schedule

04:40 Keeping Track

05:05 Key Metrics Every Property Owner Should Know

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