When people think about what makes a restaurant successful, they usually focus on the food, the service, or the brand. And while all of those things are critical, there’s another piece of the puzzle that often goes overlooked: real estate. The right location and smart property strategy can make or break a restaurant, especially when you’re thinking about growth. Over the years, leading Carbone Restaurant Group and launching Fast Fired by Carbone, I’ve learned that real estate isn’t just a place to operate—it’s a strategic tool for scaling a business.

Location Is More Than Just Geography

When we opened our first Carbone location, we learned quickly that choosing the right neighborhood matters far more than just finding a building. You need to consider foot traffic, accessibility, parking, visibility, and the surrounding businesses. The goal is to find a spot that naturally draws customers while supporting the brand’s identity.

For Fast Fired, a quick-serve concept designed for efficiency, accessibility is even more critical. Being near busy intersections, shopping centers, or office districts helps drive consistent traffic. Location isn’t just about where your restaurant sits—it’s about where your customers are and how easily they can reach you.

Designing for Operational Efficiency

Once you secure the right location, the design of the space itself becomes critical. Real estate development isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating a layout that supports your team and your operations.

In our restaurants, we focus on kitchen efficiency, flow of service, and customer experience. A well-designed kitchen allows staff to work efficiently, reduces mistakes, and ensures that food reaches the customer quickly. On the front end, creating a welcoming and intuitive layout improves the overall guest experience. Thoughtful design impacts speed, consistency, and customer satisfaction—all of which are essential for growth.

Real Estate as a Growth Engine

When you’re thinking about scaling, real estate strategy becomes even more important. Each new location represents a significant investment, so it needs to support long-term growth. That means considering future expansion, the potential for franchising, and how each property fits into the broader network of your brand.

With Fast Fired, we designed our locations to be replicable. Standardized layouts, adaptable infrastructure, and strategic site selection allow us to open new locations quickly without compromising the customer experience. Real estate is no longer just about finding a building—it’s about creating a system that can be duplicated across cities and even countries.

Balancing Cost and Value

One of the biggest challenges in restaurant real estate is balancing cost with potential value. Prime locations often come with higher rents, but the traffic and visibility they bring can justify the expense. On the other hand, less expensive spaces may be easier on cash flow but could limit customer reach.

I’ve learned that the key is evaluating each opportunity holistically. We look at potential revenue, brand positioning, and operational feasibility before committing. It’s about making smart, long-term decisions rather than chasing short-term savings.

Adapting to Market Trends

The restaurant industry is constantly evolving, and real estate decisions need to reflect that. In recent years, the rise of delivery, takeout, and ghost kitchens has changed the way we think about space. You no longer just need a dining area—you need layouts that optimize pickup, delivery logistics, and even online-order processing.

By staying adaptable, we can ensure that each location is prepared for both today’s needs and tomorrow’s trends. Innovation in real estate isn’t just about finding a cool building; it’s about anticipating how the space will support operations and customer expectations over time.

The Role of Partnerships

Real estate development is a team sport. Working with developers, landlords, architects, and city planners is critical to finding and optimizing locations. Building strong relationships in the real estate community allows us to identify opportunities, negotiate favorable terms, and secure properties that align with our long-term growth strategy.

Partnerships also help when scaling across multiple locations. Knowing who to call, who to trust, and how to navigate zoning or regulatory issues can save time and money, which is crucial when expanding a brand like Carbone or Fast Fired.

Community Considerations

While growth and efficiency are important, community fit cannot be overlooked. A restaurant’s success is tied to the neighborhood it serves. That’s why we consider the surrounding community when planning new locations. Understanding local demographics, culture, and customer habits ensures that each restaurant feels like a natural part of its environment.

Being intentional about community integration also strengthens the brand. Customers notice when a restaurant respects and complements its surroundings, which builds loyalty and long-term success.

Real estate development is more than just securing a space to serve food—it’s a critical element of growth strategy. The right location, thoughtful design, and strategic partnerships all contribute to operational efficiency, brand consistency, and long-term scalability.

For anyone looking to grow a restaurant concept, my advice is to treat real estate as an investment in the brand, not just a cost. Think about location, design, efficiency, adaptability, and community fit. When approached strategically, real estate becomes a powerful engine for growth, helping your restaurant not just survive, but thrive across multiple markets.

At the end of the day, every building is more than walls and a roof—it’s the foundation on which your vision, your team, and your brand can grow for years to come.