Episodios

  • 16 Host Cities and a Major Retail Opportunity

    16 Host Cities and a Major Retail Opportunity
    Mar 26 2026

    What if the biggest World Cup winners aren’t the teams?

    The next major tailwind for retail real estate isn’t coming from policy, rates, or supply it’s coming from global demand.

    The World Cup is set to drive one of the largest concentrated waves of consumer activity the U.S. has seen in years. But this isn’t just about packed stadiums. It’s about what happens around them and long after.

    We’re looking at more than a million visitors, many of whom wouldn’t have come to the U.S. otherwise. That means new dollars flowing into restaurants, retail corridors, hotels, and local businesses across 16 host markets. And unlike typical tourism cycles, this demand is compressed, intense, and highly visible.

    Chris Ressa and Karly Iacono break down what this really means for cities, operators, and investors.

    But the real opportunity isn’t just the short-term spike.

    Major global events historically reshape markets. Cities invest in infrastructure, improve accessibility, and elevate their global profile. That exposure doesn’t disappear when the games end it attracts future tourism, business investment, and population growth. We’ve seen it with the Olympics. There’s no reason to believe this plays out differently.

    There’s also a behavioral shift happening at the local level. Consumers are finding new places, trying new operators, and forming new habits. A great experience during a high-energy moment can turn into long-term customer loyalty.

    Not every benefit will be evenly distributed. Some markets will see concentrated gains, others more diffuse impact depending on geography, walkability, and where people stay versus where they play.

    But zoom out and the signal is clear:

    More people. More spending. More reasons to engage with physical retail.

    For operators and investors paying attention, this isn’t just a moment it’s a setup.

    What You’ll Hear

    • Why the World Cup is a major driver of retail spending
    • How international tourism fuels local retail markets
    • Where the impact goes beyond stadiums and game day
    • Why infrastructure investment creates long-term value
    • How global events reshape cities over time
    • Why consumer behavior shifts matter for operators
    • How impact varies across different host cities
    • Where spending actually lands within each market
    • What determines short-term vs. long-term gains
    • Why this is a meaningful tailwind for retail real estate

    Chapters

    00:04 — setting the stage

    Opening the conversation and framing the scale of the opportunity

    01:27 — why this event is different

    Comparing global events and the magnitude of the World Cup

    02:51 — the tourism surge

    Breaking down international visitors and incremental demand

    03:49 — spending beyond the stadium

    How consumer behavior expands retail impact

    05:12 — where the real opportunity is

    Moving beyond food and merch into broader retail effects

    06:34 — infrastructure and long-term value

    Why cities invest—and why it matters after the event

    09:16 — the economic numbers

    Billions in projected output and what that signals

    10:17 — from one-time visit to repeat customer

    How events create long-term retail loyalty

    12:59 — which markets benefit most?

    Debating winners across the 16 host cities

    18:57 — what could go wrong?

    Pressure-testing assumptions and downside scenarios

    20:17 — where does the money actually land?

    Understanding geographic dispersion of spending

    23:46 — final takeaway

    Why the overall impact is overwhelmingly positive
    Más Menos
    24 m
  • Reputation, Risk, and Reality in Today’s Hiring Market

    Reputation, Risk, and Reality in Today’s Hiring Market
    Mar 19 2026
    Are you solving the problem, or just applying?

    How people get hired and what companies actually value is shifting fast.

    Cary Beale, one of the most active recruiters in retail real estate at Poline Search Partners, sees the disconnect every day. Companies want people in the office. Candidates want flexibility. Everyone says they want the “best talent,” but the definition of that talent isn’t aligned.

    That tension is reshaping hiring outcomes across the industry.

    This conversation goes beyond surface-level career advice and gets into what actually moves the needle when decisions are being made. Reputation still compounds, and early habits follow you longer than people think. Job hopping still raises red flags, not just about loyalty, but about decision-making. And communication remains one of the most underrated differentiators in a crowded candidate pool.

    There’s also a clear message on what doesn’t work: generic answers, safe positioning, and trying to be who you think a company wants. That approach blends in, and blending in is the fastest way to get overlooked.

    Instead, the candidates who stand out are the ones who understand the real problem behind the role and position themselves as the solution. They do the extra work. They show initiative before they’re asked. And they create moments that are memorable, not just “better,” but different.

    AI is starting to enter the conversation, but it hasn’t replaced the fundamentals. Hiring is still human. Judgment still matters. And the gap between average and exceptional candidates is still wide.

    If you’re hiring, this sharpens how to evaluate talent. If you’re interviewing, it’s a reminder that small decisions, how you show up, how you communicate, how you differentiate, have outsized impact.

    Because in a competitive market, being qualified isn’t enough. Being remembered is.

    What You’ll Hear

    1. Why the office vs. remote divide is slowing hiring
    2. How reputation and job movement shape long-term outcomes
    3. Why communication and clarity make or break candidates
    4. How to position yourself as the solution, not just an applicant
    5. What actually separates candidates who get offers
    6. Where AI is starting to impact hiring

    Chapters

    00:01 — Cary Beale’s path from operator to recruiter

    From owning a restaurant to leading recruiting in retail real estate.

    03:07 — Shifting from deals to talent placement

    How industry experience translates into recruiting success.

    04:08 — Inside the recruiting business

    What roles are in demand and how many placements actually happen.

    04:48 — The remote vs. office disconnect

    Why companies and candidates are fundamentally misaligned.

    06:26 — Why early careers need the office

    The long-term disadvantage of skipping in-person experience.

    08:50 — AI and hiring: real impact or hype?

    Where AI is entering the conversation — and where it isn’t.

    10:34 — Tip #1: reputation compounds

    Why early career behavior follows you longer than expected.

    11:43 — Job hopping and decision-making risk

    What frequent moves signal to employers.

    14:02 — Tip #2: communicate clearly

    Why most candidates fail to define what they actually do.

    18:47 — Tip #3: be authentic

    Why trying to fit the mold can cost you the job.

    20:55 — Tip #4: solve the problem

    How to position yourself as the answer companies need.

    22:28 — Tip #5: be different

    Why standing out matters more than being slightly better.
    Más Menos
    29 m
  • Retail Retold Replay: Golf Factory is a hole-in-one at Randhurst

    Retail Retold Replay: Golf Factory is a hole-in-one at Randhurst
    Mar 13 2026
    Can a niche hobby become a viable retail concept?The golf industry quietly experienced one of the biggest participation surges in decades during the pandemic. Millions of people picked up clubs for the first time, and the ripple effects are still reshaping the business of golf, from course operations to the rise of indoor golf concepts.This Retail Retold Replay revisits Chris Ressa’s conversation with Brian Hilko, owner of Golf Factory in Mount Prospect, Illinois, and a tenant at DLC’s Randhurst Village.After two decades as a PGA professional running golf courses, managing operations, and teaching the game, Hilko recognized something most operators overlooked: traditional golf experiences were often transactional and uninspiring. The game people loved deserved better.So he built something different.Golf Factory blends serious golf technology with an approachable, family-friendly environment. Powered by TrackMan simulators used by professional golfers, the concept allows players of all skill levels to practice, compete, and play year round without the intimidation factor many associate with traditional golf settings.Hilko shares the entrepreneurial journey behind launching the business, from identifying the opportunity during the COVID golf boom to building the space with an SBA loan, a partner, and a lot of hands-on work that saved nearly $1 million in construction costs.The conversation also highlights an emerging category within retail real estate: experiential concepts that draw consistent traffic and complement surrounding tenants rather than compete with them. Indoor golf has become a compelling example, delivering entertainment, community engagement, and repeat visits.Looking back now adds helpful perspective. The themes discussed, experiential retail, niche operators, and passion driven entrepreneurship, remain highly relevant as landlords and operators continue to search for concepts that drive traffic and create community.For retail real estate professionals, operators, and entrepreneurs, this replay offers a sharp look at how a passion for the game became a viable retail business.What You’ll HearWhy the pandemic accelerated golf participation - and how millions of new players changed the business of the sport.The problem with traditional golf experiences - and why Hilko believed the industry often underserves players.Indoor golf’s growing role in the sport - combining professional-grade technology with accessibility for casual players.How TrackMan technology is transforming training and entertainment - bringing tour-level analytics to everyday golfers.The entrepreneurial leap from PGA professional to business owner - and recognizing when the opportunity was right.How Hilko financed the business - combining an SBA loan, a partner, and a detailed business plan built from real operational data.Saving nearly $1 million on buildout costs - by rolling up sleeves and completing major portions of the construction personally.Why location strategy mattered - choosing a retail development with strong surrounding traffic and no direct competition.How experiential tenants complement retail centers - driving visitation that benefits surrounding restaurants and shops.Chapters00:06 — Brian Hilko’s background in golfA PGA professional explains how two decades in golf operations led to entrepreneurship.01:26 — Why golf surged during the pandemicChris and Brian discuss the massive participation wave and why the game resonates with new players.02:31 — The appeal of indoor golfHow technology and convenience make the sport accessible for busy people and families.04:14 — Recognizing a business opportunityHilko explains the moment he decided to launch his own golf concept.06:22 — Building a better golf experienceWhy Golf Factory was designed to remove the intimidation factor of traditional golf.08:06 — Financing and launching the businessHow a network, SBA financing, and careful planning made the concept possible.10:25 — Technology that powers the experienceTrackMan simulators bring professional-grade data and gameplay to indoor golf.13:03 — The economics of the buildoutHow the team kept the total buildout under $1 million through hands-on construction.14:36 — Revenue projections and early performanceHilko discusses expectations for growth and seasonality in the business.15:43 — Finding the right retail locationWhy Randhurst Village offered the right combination of demand, traffic, and opport
    Más Menos
    20 m
  • Retail Retold Replay: Why Retail Real Estate Is STILL "Too Good to Ignore"

    Retail Retold Replay: Why Retail Real Estate Is STILL "Too Good to Ignore"
    Mar 6 2026
    What did Adam and Chris get right about retail in 2024?Back in 2024, Chris Ressa sat down with DLC CEO Adam Ifshin in Las Vegas ahead of ICSC to talk about a retail market that was already showing unusual strength. Looking back from 2026, that conversation reads less like commentary and more like an early signal of where open-air retail was headed.At the time, Adam laid out a clear case: open-air retail fundamentals were outperforming the broader narrative. Traffic, sales, occupancy, and rent had all moved above pre-pandemic levels, even while capital markets remained strained. That disconnect was the core tension then, and it remains one of the most important dynamics to understand now.What stands out even more in hindsight is how early DLC was in identifying the structural forces behind that strength. Chris and Adam discussed years of underbuilding, limited new supply, rising construction costs, and the steady removal of retail space for other uses like apartments, healthcare, and self-storage. In 2026, those pressures have not disappeared. If anything, they have become harder to ignore.The conversation also reinforced two themes that have continued to shape the market: the durability of value retail and the strength of suburban, secondary, and exurban demand. Long before those ideas became consensus views, DLC was investing around them. Looking back, the logic still holds. Consumers continue to prioritize value, retailers continue to chase the right space, and owners continue to operate in a market where quality supply is limited.This conversation matters now because it captures a moment when disciplined operators were already seeing what others were still debating. For retail real estate professionals, investors, and retailers trying to understand how we got here, this is a sharp look at the thinking that helped define the last two years of the market.What You’ll HearOpen-air retail fundamentals are still too good to ignore - How traffic, sales, occupancy, and rent have all moved past pre-pandemic highs, reinforcing the strength of the sector.Capital markets diverged from fundamentals - How rising interest rates and tighter credit created volatility in financing even while retail performance strengthened.Strong fundamentals matter more than cheap capital - Why disciplined operators prefer a market with solid demand and constrained capital rather than easy money and weak assets.Supply constraints are reshaping retail - How 15 years of underbuilding, rising construction costs, and redevelopment have reduced available retail space.Value is always in fashion - How retailers like Walmart, TJX, and other value-focused brands continue to win with consumers across income levels.Suburban and secondary markets are gaining momentum - How migration, affordability, and remote work have pushed growth beyond major urban centers.Retailers are expanding into smaller markets - How shifting demographics and income growth have opened new opportunities for national tenants.Smart retailers move early on space - How limited supply is pushing tenants to secure locations now before rents climb further.Chapters00:00 — Live from Las Vegas, before the market fully caught upChris opens the conversation with Adam Ifshin from ICSC week in Vegas.01:55 — Why DLC published “Too good to ignore”Adam explains the thinking behind DLC’s 2024 white paper and why the timing mattered.02:35 — The fundamentals were already telling a different storyTraffic, sales, occupancy, and rent had all pushed past pre-pandemic highs.04:45 — The big disconnect: strong assets, stressed capital marketsAdam breaks down why financing conditions were not reflecting what operators were seeing on the ground.08:57 — Why strong fundamentals beat cheap capitalChris asks which environment matters more, and Adam makes the case for discipline over easy money.12:05 — Could outside capital really move into retail?They discuss whether groups from other asset classes could compete in open-air retail.15:34 — Rates, cap rates, and timing the marketAdam explains why buying into strong fundamentals matters more than waiting for perfect conditions.17:41 — What constrained supply really meant long termChris and Adam talk through the deeper implications of limited space and rising retailer demand.20:54 — Why new development was still far from a real answerAdam outlines why replacement cost and labor constraints were holding back new retail construction.25:50 — Why value retail was never just a trendAdam explains why value has always been central to DLC’s view of the consumer.31:54 — The consumer story behind the retail storyAdam makes the connection between consumer health, policy, and retail real estate performance.33:43 — Why suburban and smaller markets were gaining strengthDemographic shifts, remote work, and affordability made these markets more compelling.42:52 — What smart retailers were expected to do nextAdam lays out why decisive ...
    Más Menos
    47 m
  • When global events become retail catalysts

    When global events become retail catalysts
    Feb 26 2026

    Is 2026 about to be the biggest year for retail real estate in decades?

    Retail real estate doesn’t move in a vacuum. It moves when consumers have a reason to act. 2026 is shaping up to be one of the strongest demand environments in decades because three massive global catalysts are converging at the same time: the World Cup, the Winter Olympics tailwind, and America’s 250th anniversary.

    Major live events compress consumer hesitation. They create urgency. They create moments. And moments drive spending.

    The data already supports this. Global events generate massive marketing exposure, elevated brand awareness, and increased physical activity in retail corridors. But the real impact isn’t just tourism, it’s domestic behavior. People travel, gather, host, celebrate, and spend in ways they otherwise wouldn’t. Retailers, restaurants, and physical destinations become the center of those moments.

    At the same time, the fundamentals of retail real estate remain exceptionally strong. Supply is constrained. Leasing velocity is accelerating. Tenants are competing aggressively for physical space, recognizing that stores do more than produce four-wall profit, they lower customer acquisition costs and drive digital growth.

    The narrative that retail is “technology resistant” completely misses the point. The physical store isn’t fighting technology, it’s enhancing it. Retailers are discovering that their digital performance improves when they open physical locations. Stores are no longer just revenue centers; they are strategic growth engines.

    This shift has fundamentally changed the leasing environment. Landlords are no longer chasing tenants to fill space. Tenants are racing to secure locations before competitors do.

    Retail isn’t surviving. It’s expanding. 2026 could be remembered as the year physical retail reasserted its full strategic value, not just as a place to transact, but as a critical platform for brand growth, customer acquisition, and long-term market share.

    What You’ll Hear

    1. Why global events are creating a 2026 retail tailwind - How the World Cup, America 250, and stacked spending moments are driving incremental tourism, domestic travel, and real-world consumer activity.
    2. How live moments accelerate spending behavior - Why major events compress hesitation and push consumers from waiting to acting.
    3. The leasing velocity surge happening right now - What rising deal volume, stronger economics, and tenant expansion signal about retail confidence.
    4. Why retailers are in a land grab for physical space - How constrained supply has shifted the market and intensified competition for prime locations.
    5. Why physical stores power digital growth - How brick-and-mortar lowers customer acquisition costs and makes omnichannel performance more efficient.
    6. Why retail isn’t tech resistant—tech needs retail - The strategic shift from clicks versus bricks to clicks because of bricks, and what that means for long-term real estate value.

    Chapters

    00:01 - Why I’m bullish on 2026

    The macro retail real estate fundamentals and why the outlook is stronger than the narrative suggests.

    02:08 - The olympics spending tailwind has already started

    How marketing exposure and brand promotion drive spending beyond the event itself.

    04:25 - Why the world cup will be a massive retail catalyst

    Tourism, domestic travel, and gathering behavior will drive incremental retail demand.

    06:36 - America 250 and the stacking of spending catalysts

    Patriotism, celebrations, and event sequencing create sustained spending momentum.

    08:51 - Leasing velocity is accelerating rapidly

    Real-world leasing activity confirms strong tenant demand and economic confidence.

    10:41 - The myth of technology-resistant tenants

    Why framing retail as resistant to technology misses the real strategic shift.

    10:59 - Why stores drive digital growth

    Physical locations lower customer acquisition costs and enhance overall brand performance.

    11:54 - The tenant land grab has begun

    Retailers are aggressively securing space before competitors lock in key locations.

    13:09 - Why physical retail is more valuable than ever

    The strategic role of stores is expanding beyond traditional revenue metrics.
    Más Menos
    14 m
  • Why grocery keeps winning when retail keeps changing

    Why grocery keeps winning when retail keeps changing
    Feb 19 2026
    Why is grocery-anchored retail still the most resilient asset class in 2026?Grocery-anchored retail continues to prove why it remains one of the most durable and coveted asset classes in commercial real estate. Despite persistent narratives around online grocery, delivery economics, and shifting consumer behavior, grocery real estate entered 2026 from a position of strength, not disruption.Sales growth in 2025 outpaced inflation, signaling more than just higher food costs. Consumers are spending more inside grocery stores, cooking at home, and prioritizing value over convenience. While online grocery sales continue to rise, they now represent roughly 17 percent of total spend, a level that feels elevated and increasingly close to a plateau. Delivery fees, reverse logistics, and thin margins reinforce a fundamental truth: for most shoppers, value wins. The tactile nature of grocery shopping, selecting produce, choosing cuts of meat, and controlling quality creates a level of stickiness unmatched in other retail categories.From a real estate perspective, grocery stores remain exceptional traffic drivers and increasingly valuable anchors. Grocers are reinvesting heavily in their locations on a steady cadence, often without landlord contributions, strengthening centers while protecting long-term performance. That reinvestment comes with expectations, as landlords are pressured to keep common areas and surrounding spaces competitive. When a grocer leaves, outcomes become highly market-specific, ranging from strong backfill demand to full asset repositioning depending on competition, capital availability, and consumer density.Specialty grocers are having a moment, and it is not confined to coastal markets. Ethnically diverse concepts, fresh-focused operators, value-driven formats, and curated regional brands are scaling nationally. These retailers are transforming historically local shopping behaviors into repeatable, high-performing models that attract both loyal core customers and curious new shoppers.Even Amazon’s retreat from its Fresh concept underscores the sector’s resilience. Grocery remains intensely competitive, operationally complex, and deeply rooted in experience, service, and value. The takeaway is clear: brick-and-mortar grocery is not just surviving. It is reinforcing its role as one of retail real estate’s most reliable foundationsWhat You’ll HearWhy grocery continues to anchor retail real estate - A clear-eyed look at why grocery remains one of the most stable, high-performing asset classes despite years of disruption headlines.How consumer spending is shaping the grocery sector - Why sales growth outpaced inflation and what that reveals about value, at-home consumption, and evolving shopping behavior.The real story behind online grocery growth - A candid discussion on delivery costs, margins, and why convenience has limits in a value-driven category.What makes grocery shopping so “sticky” - The human behaviors, from produce to protein, that keep consumers returning to physical stores.Why grocers keep reinvesting in brick-and-mortar locations - How ongoing store reinvestment strengthens centers and creates long-term benefits for landlords.What happens when a grocery anchor leaves a center - Why backfill, repositioning, and outcomes vary dramatically depending on market dynamics.The rise of specialty and ethnic grocers nationwide - How curated concepts, fresh-focused formats, and regional operators are scaling across the country.What Amazon Fresh got wrong about grocery - Lessons from Amazon’s retreat and why technology alone cannot replace value, service, and loyalty.Why grocery real estate still wins - A closing perspective on durability, frequency, and why grocery remains foundational to open-air retail.Chapters00:00 – Grocery’s staying power in retail real estateWhy grocery continues to stand out as one of the most resilient and reliable anchors in open-air retail.02:10 – Consumer spending trends shaping grocery in 2025How sales growth outpaced inflation and what it says about value, at-home consumption, and shopper behavior.04:25 – Online grocery growth and the reality of delivery economicsWhy rising costs, thin margins, and logistics challenges are slowing the push toward full digital adoption.07:15 – The stickiness of the in-store grocery experienceFrom produce to protein, the physical elements of grocery shopping that keep consumers coming back.09:50 – Grocer reinvestment and what it means for landlordsHow consistent store reinvestment strengthens centers and raises expectations for the rest of the asset.12:30 – When a grocery anchor leaves a shopping centerWhy outcomes range from strong backfill demand to full asset repositioning depending on the market.15:10 – The rise of specialty and ethnic grocery conceptsHow fresh-focused, curated, and ethnically diverse grocers are scaling across the U.S.18:05 – Why Amazon Fresh failed to break throughLessons ...
    Más Menos
    27 m
  • How to Get a Retail Lease Done in 14 Days

    How to Get a Retail Lease Done in 14 Days
    Feb 11 2026
    What does it take to win a competitive retail LOI today?Retail leases are moving fast again, and in East Tennessee, they are moving faster than most people think is possible.Chris Ressa talks with Lindsey Barden, founder of Dark Horse CRE, a tenant-rep-only broker covering Knoxville, Chattanooga, and the Tri-Cities. Her view from the ground is simple: vacancy is extremely low, the best spaces trade off-market, and retailers are routinely battling multiple LOIs for the same box. In the past six months, Lindsey says 80-to-90 percent of her deals have been competitive, forcing brands to show up ready to commit, pay closer to asking, and cut through internal red tape.Landlords are prioritizing certainty and speed, especially in second-generation space. The tenants winning deals are the ones asking for less work and fewer dollars from ownership, tightening timelines, and moving from “perfect protections” to more balanced lease terms.The proof point is a Crunch Fitness anchor lease that went from discovery to signed lease in roughly two weeks. No traditional LOI. Basic terms handled by email. Architects and contractors brought in immediately. Approvals happening across time zones. A two-level layout that required creative planning, not a cookie-cutter prototype. Two motivated parties decided the deal mattered, and executed like it.If you want a takeaway: stop treating leasing like a slow process. Treat it like a race. Speed wins.What You’ll HearWhy East Tennessee is one of the tightest retail markets in the country — and what low vacancy really means for tenants trying to expand.What 80 to 90 percent competitive deal flow looks like in practice — multiple LOIs, limited second-generation space, and constant off-market conversations.How landlords are prioritizing certainty over creativity — why minimal TI, faster approvals, and fewer contingencies are winning deals.What retailers must change internally to compete — consolidating corporate review, accelerating decision-making, and committing earlier.How a Crunch Fitness anchor lease went from tour to signed in 14 days — no traditional LOI, creative problem solving on a two-level box, and approvals happening across time zones.Why speed is the ultimate differentiator in today’s leasing environment — and how motivated parties can compress timelines dramatically.A thoughtful look at retail saturation vs. market expansion — coffee, chicken, gyms, and how to separate durable concepts from passing trends.The mindset shift required to win in 2026 retail real estate — treat leasing less like a negotiation marathon and more like a sprint.Chapters00:00 – Meet Lindsey BardenA 20-year tenant rep veteran shares her journey from Virginia brokerage to founding Dark Horse CRE in East Tennessee.08:15 – Why East Tennessee Is So CompetitiveLindsey breaks down Knoxville’s low vacancy, off-market deals, and why most spaces now trade with multiple LOIs.12:00 – Retailers Must Move FasterCorporate approval timelines are shrinking as brands realize that hesitation means losing the deal.16:05 – What Landlords Want Right NowMinimal TI, fewer contingencies, and faster rent commencement are outweighing bells and whistles in lease negotiations.25:45 – Are We Over-Retailed?Coffee, chicken, and gyms spark a debate about saturation versus untapped market share.33:50 – Trends vs. Durable ConceptsA discussion on fads, long-term winners, and how evolving brands survive shifting consumer demand.38:10 – The 14-Day Anchor DealA Crunch Fitness lease goes from tour to signed in just two weeks through speed, creativity, and alignment.41:30 – No LOI, Just ExecutionBasic terms handled by email and architects brought in immediately compress what normally takes months.44:00 – The Power of Two Motivated PartiesWhy urgency and shared intent—not secrets—made the accelerated deal possible.45:15 – Final Takeaway: Speed WinsRetail leasing is no longer a slow grind; the brands that move decisively are winning the best spaces.
    Más Menos
    44 m
  • What Franchise Longevity Looks Like From the Inside

    What Franchise Longevity Looks Like From the Inside
    Feb 5 2026
    What do long-term franchise operators know that others miss?

    Longevity in retail is earned, not engineered.

    Chris Ressa and David Habas, Managing Partner at HK Enterprises, unpack what it actually takes to build and operate a service retail business over decades, cycles, and constant change.

    Habas brings nearly 30 years of franchising experience and a rare dual lens as both an operator and someone who came up through commercial real estate. That perspective shows up throughout the discussion, from how Supercuts’ footprint and service model have evolved, to why tracking customer counts still matters more than chasing top-line growth alone. He shares real AUV benchmarks, candid insights on post-COVID demand shifts, and why price increases only work when paired with consistency and execution.

    The conversation scales when Habas walks through a pivotal Boston relocation, moving from an iconic, high-rent location to a smaller, smarter space around the corner and growing the business in the process. The takeaway is simple and sharp: great operators don’t fight change, they design around it.

    For retailers, franchisees, and landlords alike, this episode reinforces a core truth of open-air retail: durable brands are built by people who think long-term, understand real estate, and know how to adapt without losing the customer.

    What You’ll Hear

    1. Why longevity in franchising comes from following the system, not trying to outsmart it
    2. How the salon industry has evolved post-COVID and what “butts in the chair” really tells you
    3. Real AUV benchmarks and what separates top-performing locations from the rest of the system
    4. The tradeoffs between organic growth, acquisitions, and relocations when space is limited
    5. A first-hand look at relocating an iconic Boston store and growing sales while lowering rent
    6. How strong landlord relationships create flexibility during moments of disruption
    7. Why service retail still wins on consistency, efficiency, and customer trust
    8. Lessons from building a multi-decade business with a long-tenured leadership team

    Chapters

    00:00 – Building a Franchise Before Franchising Was Cool

    David Habas shares his path into franchising and how HK Enterprises grew into one of the largest Supercuts franchise operators over multiple decades and markets.

    04:45 – How the Salon Industry Has Actually Changed

    From oversized footprints to tighter, more efficient stores, Habas breaks down how customer needs, services, and layouts have evolved.

    07:20 – Post-COVID Reality: Traffic, Frequency, and Revenue

    A candid look at customer behavior shifts, why frequency matters more than headlines, and how the business is tracking recovery.

    10:30 – AUVs, Scale, and What Performance Really Looks Like

    Habas shares real average unit volumes and explains why location, execution, and consistency separate top operators from the pack.

    12:30 – Growth When Space Is Hard to Find

    Organic growth, acquisitions, and smart relocations all come into play when prime retail real estate is limited.

    18:30 – Turning a Flagship Crisis into a Win

    A high-rent Boston location forces a move, leading to a smaller footprint, lower occupancy costs, and stronger long-term performance.

    23:40 – The Operator–Landlord Relationship

    Why not all tenants are created equal and how traffic-driving service retail adds value beyond rent.

    29:30 – Franchising, Technology, and Playing the Long Game

    Habas explains why he would choose franchising again and how tech, systems, and discipline keep brands relevant.

    32:00 – The Next Generation Question

    A candid conversation about family businesses, succession, and what it takes to sustain a multi-generation operation.
    Más Menos
    32 m