Restaurant Operator Podcast

Navigating the tightest restaurant real estate market in 20 years

Ebere Anokute, head of retail research for CBRE, during the ICSC real estate conference in Las Vegas, reveals the shifting dynamics of restaurant real estate, modern data trends and the intangible elements that make a brick-and-mortar location successful.

June 2, 2026

It doesn't matter how good your food is if your restaurant is in the wrong place. That was the primary takeaway from a recent episode of The Restaurant Operator podcast, where I interviewed Ebere Anokute, head of retail research for CBRE, during the ICSC real estate conference in Las Vegas.

We dove into the shifting dynamics of restaurant real estate, modern data trends, and the intangible elements that make a brick-and-mortar location successful.

Here is a sneak peek at what you're missing if you haven't tuned in yet:

• The 20-year crunch: Retail availability has hit historic lows, creating the tightest market seen in two decades. Anokute explains how this supply constraint hands significant leverage to landlords — and what it means for your next lease negotiation.
• The power of 'co-tenancy': While data analytics drive modern site selection, human behavior and retail synergy remain the biggest indicators of long-term success. Discover why being close to your direct competitors might actually be the best thing for your brand.
• Debunking the hybrid office myth: Despite early fears that remote work would kill urban restaurant traffic, CBRE data tells a completely different story about where consumers are spending their dining dollars.
• AI vs. reality: Artificial intelligence is top of mind for everyone, but how is it actually being used in site selection and restaurant operations today? Hint: It's not what you think.

To get the full breakdown on navigating today's hyper-competitive real estate market, tune in to the complete conversation on The Restaurant Operator podcast.

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