113 - Unlocking QSR Growth: The Role of Build-to-Suit Development | Ft. Kendall Whitaker from ZIG

Kendall Whitaker from Zucker Investment Group (ZIG) dives into the vital role of real estate development and growth equity in the QSR space. Kendall explores the significance of location selection, the rise of modular build-out concepts, and effective capital structures for syndicating deals with investors. He shares ZIG’s approach to partnering with QSR operators, offering strategic support that allows franchisees to focus on growth while ZIG handles real estate complexities. From regional real estate trends to maximizing EBITDA in exit strategies, Kendall provides a roadmap for QSR success built on scalable, data-driven development solutions. ABOUT KENDALL WHITAKER: Kendall heads up ZIG's Quick Service Restaurant Platform. By leveraging his deep understanding of franchise capital stacks, real estate site selection, and expertise in the restaurant M&A process, Kendall enables his partners to achieve exceptional growth. Prior to joining the ZIG team, Kendall was a Top 5 Rookie Agent Nationally for a publicly traded Insurance Agency before entering into the retail tenant representation world in 2022 and joining ZIG in May of 2023. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama. ABOUT ZUCKER INVESTMENT GROUP (ZIG): Zucker Investment Group (ZIG) is a strategic capital firm operating at the nexus of real estate development and growth equity. Leveraging its expertise in site selection, creative financing, and strategic exits, ZIG empowers its partners to drive exceptional growth and achieve superior exit outcomes. In addition to serving as a real estate and capital partner to various franchisees, ZIG is also a franchisee of AFC Urgent Care and Smalls Sliders.