BEFORE YOU SIGN YOUR LEASE...

1. Research your City Planning and Zoning "Permitted Uses" before you consider executing your Lease.  Make sure RESTAURANT USE is permitted and that adiquate on-site PARKING is available. Restaurant use require more parking than Retail or Office use.

2. Ask your Landlord for three (3) months FREE RENT. This is about how much time it will take to work on the Design, Plans and Permits. You will need a Health Permit from your County DHS and Building Permits from your City before you begin remodeling.

3. Ask for a minimum of five (5) years term in your lease with an option for additional five (5) years.  It takes three (3) to Five (5) years to recuperate your tenant improvements (TI) expenses for the average restaurant with any kind of success.

4. In some of the "newer" or "upscale" strip malls, ask the Landlord for 10% - 20%  tenant improvements allowance, payable upon execution of the construction contract, or at Grand Opening. Your investment enhances the Landlord's property value.

5. Check "Owner's Checklist" by clicking on SERVICES tab of this website to better understand what else is involved in "Owning and Operating a Restaurant".

6. Email Bob Cox at coxdesign@yohoo.com or call (714) 809-1010 and let's chat...